Imo State Commissioner for Internal Resources and Pension Matters, Dr. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe recently hosted the President of the Chattered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN, Dr. Teju Somorin and other members who were on a courtesy visit to the state.
Responding to the Speech of Dr. Somorin, the Commissioner assured her of the willingness of the state government to partner with the institute in areas of exchange of ideas, advices and suggestions that could serve as necessary tools towards boosting the state’s tax system.
The ace-journalist turned politician lauded the CITN president for her prowess and vision in writing three books on taxation/tax laws and policy; Concise Review of Different Tax types, Development of tax system; Nigeria tax laws.
The Commissioner congratulated the CITN in advance for their conference coming up at Abuja in May 2016 and encourage staffers of Imo Board of Internal Revenue, BIR to form the Institute for more effective service to the state and career excellence.
Dr. Ajumbe used the opportunity to inform the visitors of the development in the Tourism industry in the state, revealing that there over 200 Hotels in Owerri, all doing well, adding that over 16 banks exist in the state with good prospects.
He assured that after undergoing the current reorganization, the BIR will become autonomous as requested by CITN president, but expressly stated that the governor must give directives in areas the tax system will flow.
Earlier in her speech the CITN president, Dr, Somorin had requested the state to ensure that there need for the tax office to be autonomous.
According to him, giving the tax officers some level of freedom would help the State Internally Generated Revenue, IGR to improve, pointing out examples of states like Lagos, FCT, Benue, Rivers, etc which have given the tax departments autonomy.
She used the opportunity to laud Gov. Rochas Okorocha on his high level of achievements in areas of giving the state a face of modernity and cleanliness, say Owerri, the state capital is wearing very new look.
Dr. Somorin urged the tax officers in the state to focus on ways to improve on taxation, adding that autonomy would help them to perform optimally.
She later exhibited and presented the three books which she wrote, even as the Commissioner and his Ministry bought some sets of the books.
Present at the courtesy call were the permanent secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Charles Oshigwelem, Chairman, of Board of Internal Revenue, BIR, Prince Emma Ononaku, Owerri District Chairman, Mr. Basil Iwu and others.
