The Imo State Internal Revenue Service Chairman, Mr. Justice R. Okoye while speaking with the team from Imo State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) led by the General Manager, Engr. Francis Chukwu on Friday 13th September 2024 stressed the need for the stoppage of task force activities in Imo State. He added that unscrupulous elements go around the State harassing taxpayers and collecting revenue from them claiming to be ENTRACO staff.
The essence of the meeting was to seek solutions to issues bothering on revenue leakages, fake receipts, and tax force harassments in order to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State.
Cash receipts purportedly emanating from ENTRACO, certificates and fake TSA receipts were issued to taxpayers with no proof in the Imo Treasury Single Account (TSA).
In response, the ENTRACO GM confirmed that the cash receipts and certificates did not emanate from ENTRACO. He requested for copies of the fake receipts and cash receipts in order to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators of such acts.
He added that ENTRACO is seen in a bad light due to the activities of these illegal task forces stressing that there is a need to reposition the image of the agency.
Mr. Okoye suggested that radio programmes featuring the ENTRACO GM and IIRS Chairman should be aired to sensitize the public on the stoppage of task force operations for ENTRACO in order to rebrand the agency’s image.
He further disclosed that tax payments would be collected electronically with the new Tax Management System that would be deployed soon. This will aid transparency and reduce revenue leakages drastically.
Engr. Chukwu and his team concurred with the stoppage of tax force for ENTRACO and appreciated the Chairman for working effectively and efficiently towards the growth of the State IGR.