By Anne Azuka
Delta Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Tilije has said that given the recent Federal Government Cyber Security levy on electronic banking, rising petrol pump price, among other challenges, the State was doing all it could to reduce the burden of tax on the people of the State
The Commissioner stated this when the executives and members of the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) visited him in Asaba.
According to him, those days, you use to see so many bills in the state, but now we have consolidated, so we send out only one bill.
The commissioner also disclosed that the state was working towards improving its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
”Though we know that our our tax network is not what it should be. So we are also trying to expand.
”We haven’t even touched the informal sector and we will do that in the next few months.We will be needing your assistance as journalists to help us drive the informal sector.
”We know that the informal sector is key to the economy of the State because of its turnover,” Tilije said.
He noted that in spite of the huge potentials in the informal sector, only the civil servant pay right taxes.
Tilije, however, lauded the increase in the FAAC to states and local governments, but said it was just a huge chunk of money with little value given the inflationary trend in the country.
”Thank God that FAAC receipt is improving by the day, but improving by the day is not absolutely rewarding compared to what we are getting in terms of value for the money.
”So when the Federal Government says States are carting away with so much money now, it is not correct because there are some roads that we awarded in the past.
”We are even reviewing the cost now. If the contracts are not reviewed, the projects will be abandoned by the contractors,” he said.
The commissioner said that Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori has assured that he would ensure that all the contracts awarded by past administration would be completed.
According to him, we cannot complete these projects except we review the costs.
He said that Gov. Oborevwori meant well well for the people of the State and would deliver on his M.O.R.E. Agenda, adding that its not to say that the past governors did not mean well for the state.
“With the ‘M.O.R.E Agenda’ Nigerians will understand that there is more for the people of Delta,” Tilije said.
He, however commended the chapel for maintaining a cordial relationship with the State Executive and has assured his continued support.
Earlier, the Chairman, Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr Ifeanyi Olannye, said that the visit was to felicitate with the commissioner on his re-appointment as Commissioner for Finance.
”We admit that you excelled in your profession as a Banker, and now a politician. Your antecedent speaks volume, a financial guru, a philanthropist, who has touched lives in many ways.
”We also want to use this opportunity to strengthen our ties in partnership to deepen development of our dear state in line with the M.O.R.E. Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori
”Your office remains the engine room that ensures actualisation of projects and programmes through prompt releases which we have seen particularly in the over N78 billion Warri/Effurnun flyover bridges and roads redesigning/expansion project awarded Julius Berger construction company among other projects.
”We are not in doubt that the activities to mark the Gov. Oborevwori’s first year in office are laden with huge harvest of infrastructure across the state.
While congratulating the governor on his achievements, we ask that journalists be factored into the programmes to ensure effective reportage and impartation in terms of welfare and overall wellbeing of our members.
”Besides, as the Watch Dogs that holds government accountable, we hereby dare to say that the people are groaning over too many taxes levied by government.
”The recent being Federal Government Cyber Security levy on electronic banking plus the rising petrol pump price which currently has hit N750 per litter, these levies, leave the society with much more challenges, the journalists are not exempted, ” Olannye said.
