Wike tasks new board on internal revenue generation
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Wednesday inaugurated the reconstituted Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue Service with a charge to the board to create a tax friendly environment in the state while improving internally generated revenue for purposes of development.
Speaking at the inauguration at Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor charged the chairman and members of the board to ensure that they weathered the storm of political blackmail and other forms of pressure in the discharge of their responsibilities which revolved round the development of the state.
He stated that the renewed revenue drive in the state was because of the dwindling revenue from the Federation Account, saying that the new board was selected because of their professional competence, warning them against getting them involved in unproductive politics.
“It took us time to appoint members of this all-important board because of our search for persons who are professionally competent to achieve improved revenue. Members of the board were chosen strictly on their professional track record.
“We have made commitment to the Rivers people and we are determined to continue to deliver on quality projects. We can only do this with sustained revenue flow. Therefore, you must work towards blocking revenue leakages, increase our revenue and provide more funds for development,” he said.
The governor stated that if the State was able to generate up to 50 per cent of her potentials, it would easily hasten the development process of the state.
Governor Wike told the reconstituted board that the opportunity has presented itself for them to serve the state and make a positive impact on the lives of the people.
In his response, the chairman of the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Mr.ThankGod Adoage Norteh, said that members of the board were committed to delivering on the assignment of improving the revenue of the state, assuring that the reconstituted Board would create a tax friendly environment and professionalise the revenue service of the state.
Mr. Norteh solicited the cooperation of the leaders and the people of the state as the board discharged the responsibility of generating the needed funds for development.
