The Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) has commenced a new round of taxpayer sensitisation on the recently introduced tax laws, beginning with a stakeholders’ town hall meeting in the Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The engagement, held in Okene on Friday, is the first of similar sessions scheduled for the state’s three senatorial districts. The initiative is aimed at educating taxpayers on the new tax regime, boosting voluntary compliance and increasing public awareness of the reforms.
The event brought together business owners, taxpayers and other stakeholders, who interacted with officials of the revenue service, sought clarification on the provisions of the new tax laws and highlighted concerns affecting their operations.
Addressing participants, the Executive Chairman of KGIRS, Dr Sule Salihu Enehe, represented by the Director of Legal Services, Barrister Abubakar-Aliyu Bala, described taxation as a fundamental driver of civilisation and national development.
He said the revenue service had fully aligned with the provisions of the new tax laws, particularly reforms aimed at eliminating multiple taxation, supporting small businesses and making tax administration more inclusive for low-income earners.
According to him, the agency remains committed to fostering economic growth through a fair tax system anchored on the principle of “taxing prosperity, not poverty.”
Also speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr Rahman Nasir Ichanyi, said the reforms were introduced to eliminate illegal revenue collection at roadblocks, reduce the burden of multiple taxation and establish a more transparent relationship between taxpayers and government.
READ ALSO: Makinde Delays New Tax Law to Avoid Burdening Oyo Residents Amid Economic Hardship
He assured participants that the issues raised during the engagement would be conveyed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for prompt attention and possible intervention.
Participants also received a detailed presentation from the Director of MDAs at KGIRS, Hassanat Enehezei Salawu, who explained the key provisions of the new tax laws before responding to questions during an interactive session.
The town hall attracted representatives of various associations and taxpayers from different ethnic groups, including the Ebira, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa communities.
During discussions, stakeholders in the informal sector identified inadequate electricity supply and poor infrastructure as major constraints to business growth, noting that the challenges have reduced productivity and affected revenue generation.
They urged the state government to improve power supply and invest in public infrastructure, arguing that better facilities would help businesses expand and increase their contribution to the state’s internally generated revenue.
KGIRS is expected to continue the sensitisation campaign in Kogi East and Kogi West as it steps up efforts to deepen awareness, encourage voluntary tax compliance and ensure effective implementation of the new tax laws across the state.