The Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRs), Mr Zacch Adedeji Tuesday called for the deployment of effective strategies to enhance the drive for revenue generation and sustain economic growth in the country.
Adedeji, a keynote speaker, stated this at the 2nd edition of the NPO Reports Annual National Dialogue held in Abuja.
The event had as its theme: ‘Revenue Generation, Infrastructure, Progress; Options in a Challenged Economy.
Panelists at the dialogue intervened midway, thereby widening the scope of the discussion.
Represented by the Director, Inter-governmental Affairs, Dr. Umar Ahmed Idris, the FIRs boss, noted further that FIRs mission was to administer responsive and responsible services to generate revenue for national development.
He stated further: “In an era marked with economic uncertainty and fiscal constraints, countries face significant challenges in balancing revenue generation with infrastructural developments that require effective strategies to sustain economic growth, public services and improve living standards.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the event, Dr Ismaila Adewusi, while providing a foundation for the discussion, described revenue generation as challenging, noting that the new tax reform being mooted will aid the move to grow the economy on a sustained path.
“Aside from attracting private investors through the Public Private Partnership Initiative and adopting technology to aid revenue drive, he hailed the FIRs for blocking loopholes that now makes revenue generation easier without creating additional burden to the people.” Adewusi added.
Giving an opening remarks, the initiator of the dialogue, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, said it was conceived to demonstrate the role of the media in difficult times, urging the discussants to use the avenue in proffering solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.