Abiodun Onafuye/ Abeokuta

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria has charged the residents of the State not to relent in paying their taxes, saying, it is through this means, that the government could sustain the various infrastructural projects going on in across the State.

The governor gave the charge while speaking at a programme “:A Day With the Governor” organized by the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, OGIRS at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The programme which has the theme: “Partnering toward Rebuilding an Enabling Environment”, afforded the governor the opportunity to interact with the public on the importance of the agency in government developmental efforts.

Governor Amosun said it is when citizens pay taxes regularly that the current level of Infrastructural development in the state could be sustained and surpassed.

He reiterated that the agency has recorded tremendous feat in revenue collection as he noted that the State has surpassed the N720 million Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, before the inception of his administration to about N4billion.

He assured the public that whatever the amount generated by the IRS would be judiciously spent, adding that, the present administration on-going road construction in the State has prevented flood resulting from heavy rainfall in some parts of the State.

The Chairman of Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Babajide Odubanjo noted that, “It is only a state that generates enough revenue that would develop”

He commended the State governor for his tremendous support to the agency, and called on the people to support the agency.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to some corporate bodies and individuals who have been unrelenting in remitting their taxes to the coffers of the State government in the last 365 days.

Most Responsive tax payer of the year award was won by Chief Jide Jones, Chairman Jide Jones Group of Company, Abeokuta.

The business mogul asked religious institutions in the State to encourage their members to perform their civic responsibilities of prompt and regular payment of their tax.

He asked religious leaders to follow the preaching of Jesus on paying tithe to the church and also paying tax to the state.

Other awards presented at the occasion include most responsive taxpayers of the year, most responsive micro finance bank, overall tax payer of the year 2013 and post humous award to Alhaji Fatai Gbemisola (FATBGEMS).

The overall best tax payer award was won by the Nestle PLC Company.