By Salisu Sani-Idris
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has urged all revenue generating Secretariats, Departments and Agencies in the territory to harmonise the process of tax collection to avoid multiplication.
Bello made the call at a Stakeholders Resolution Retreat on Harmonisation of Revenue Collection and Ease of Doing Business in FCT in Abuja,
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the minister said that a reformed tax administration would harmonise tax collections end multiple taxation and encourage the establishment and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises.
He said that the FCT Administration has over the years embarked on reform programmes that would encourage the harmonization of tax system and promote the Ease of Doing Business.
This, according to him, is to allow Small and Medium Scale Enterprises as well as other businesses to strive in a friendly environment created by the government.
Bello noted that some of the reforms being implemented include the automated platforms for the issuance of permit, licences and approvals known as the FCT business portal which allows businesses and individuals to apply for and receive all necessary permits and licenses in Realtime without physical contact with any government officials.
He said that the FCTA was assiduously working on streamlining and simplifying the regulations and procedure for Business Registration, Property Registration and Land Use planning.
” These reforms will assist to create a more transparent and efficient regulatory environment for businesses in the FCT in order to encourage growth and rapid development of the city.
” We need the active participation and engagement of businesses, investors and civil society organisations to ensure that our reforms are effective, inclusive and perhaps, above all sustainable.”
Earlier, the Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, said the retreat was a pathway towards achieving its vision to establish a world-class revenue collection system in the FCT that was transparent, accountable, and efficient.
He noted that the stakeholders have made significant progress since the previous retreats, and are now ready to take the next steps towards achieving a harmonized revenue collection system that is efficient, transparent, and fair.
He said the support of all stakeholders, the administration would l continue to complete favourably in area of revenue generation amongst the committee of nation across the globe. (NAN)
