The Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) has intensified efforts to educate taxpayers on the state’s new tax laws, launching a comprehensive sensitisation campaign in Kogi Central Senatorial District to enhance compliance and promote better understanding of the reforms.
The town hall meeting, held in Okene on Thursday, marked the beginning of a statewide awareness exercise that will subsequently cover the remaining two senatorial districts.
The interactive session provided an opportunity for taxpayers, business owners, and other stakeholders to engage directly with officials of the revenue service, seek clarification on the new tax regime, and raise issues affecting their businesses and economic activities.
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 vital instrument of national development that has sustained societies throughout history.
He said the revenue service has fully aligned with the provisions of the new tax laws, particularly those aimed at eliminating multiple taxation, protecting small businesses, and ensuring that low-income earners are not unfairly burdened.
According to him, the agency remains committed to implementing a fair, transparent, and inclusive tax system anchored on the principle of “taxing prosperity, not poverty,” while creating an enabling environment for economic growth.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr. Rahman Nasir Ichanyi, explained that the reforms were introduced to end illegal revenue collection at roadblocks, curb multiple taxation, and establish a transparent relationship between government and taxpayers.
He assured participants that the concerns raised during the meeting would be conveyed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for prompt consideration and necessary action.
In a detailed presentation, the Director of MDAs at KGIRS, Hajiya Hassanat Enehezei Salawu, highlighted the key provisions of the new tax laws and responded to questions from participants during an interactive session.
The meeting attracted taxpayers and representatives of several associations from different ethnic groups, including the Ebira, Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa communities.
During the discussions, stakeholders from the informal sector identified unreliable electricity supply and poor infrastructure as major obstacles to business growth. They argued that the challenges have reduced productivity and limited the capacity of many businesses to generate income and meet their tax obligations.
The participants appealed to the state government to improve power supply and infrastructure, noting that such investments would stimulate business expansion, boost productivity, and ultimately increase the state’s internally generated revenue.
KGIRS said the sensitisation campaign will continue across Kogi State as part of its commitment to promoting awareness, strengthening taxpayer engagement, and ensuring widespread compliance with the new tax laws.
