By Jovitta Iorshase
Multiple taxation and illegal check points have always been a hard nut to crack by the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) administrations.
The current increase of illegal check points and daily extortion of traders by different tax groups is alarming and has grossly affected the Benue State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) which would have being enough to serve the state even outside the Federal allocation.
The uneven distribution of taxes to individuals and organizations has created so much burden on most businesses in the state, while the effect of multiple taxation by Local Governments, Urban Development Board, BenSESA among others on small scale business owners still lingers even though BIRS is the only authority concerned with tax in the state. The evil presence of fake consultancy firms which have been terminated still looms causing a serious setback to the economy.
The most slippery challenge of all is the issue of the numerous illegal produce collection points on our roads. Its increase on the roads continues to affect foreign investors to the state.
Last year, the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) in conjunction with the Benue State Ministry of Agriculture, officially gazetted ten produce inspection points in the state namely: Zaki Biam Inspection point, Ukum L.G.A; Katsina-Ala Inspection point, Katsina-Ala; Branch Atser Inspection point, Vandeikya LGA; North Bank Inspection point, Makurdi L.G.A; Achoho Inspection point-Konshisha LGA; Ade-Igwu, Ogbadibo Inspection point, Ogbadibo L.G.A, Adoka and Ogobia Inspection points, Otukpo L.G.A. Also, Tyogbenda Msa Inspection point, Ushongo L.G.A and Naka Inspection point, Gwer west L.G.A with a public notice to disregard any other Inspection point.
However, the Abinsi Inspection point, Guma L.G.A, one among the six that were officially signed by Mr.Terzungwe Atser in 2018 is still functional as youth are seen collecting produce from motorists, adding to the several disparities in the system.
It is expected that, security apparatus would collaborate with the Board by providing security to the staff to enforce payment of tax. Unfortunately, not all security personnel do that, this is evident in the clash that occurred last year, November 18, 2020 between the military and BIRS staff at the Branch Atser Inspection point in Vandeikya L.G.A when they refused to pay tax.
The BIRS Chairman, Mr.Andrew Ayabam, in a recent chat with The Voice early this year said, BIRS was not resting on its oars in the fight against illegal tax operators, adding that the fight requires the support of everyone including security agents, business owners among others by either reporting or resisting those operators. The question however, remains how? When the security is not always available?
There are more than four illegal inspection points: One in front of Cattle Market, at 72 Barracks Junction, another close to the first gate Federal Low cost before Tipper garage. There is also one before Agan Market after Aper Aku Housing Estate and after the tollgate.
Surprisingly, motorists and officials know about this due to the lack of security and shrewdness of those boys who use nailed logs to block the roads, they bow to exploitation.
The Amalgamated Benue Trader Organization (ABTO) recently constituted a separate Taskforce to fight illegal road blocks and taxation. The president of the association, Mr Alex Avakaa, explained that, the resolution to form a task force after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders is to assist the security agencies in tackling illegal tolls, taxes and road blocks. Though, a right step, reasonable result will be achieved only if the sponsors who are politicians will not be lured to a compromise.
The recent attack on the Executive Chairman, Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) Mr. Andrew Ayabam, is highly condemnable. It is pertinent to review the security structure of the Executive Chairman, BIRS and other staff.
Though it is commendable that, BIRS under Mr. Andrew Ayabam’s leadership has continued to generate the monthly IGR, amidst these numerous challenges, much still has to be done in other to curb the multiple taxation menace.
It is the duty of the Board to map out a clear distinction or review between BIRS and other tax agencies on what task should be handled by each group so as to avoid double or repeated taxing of business owners.
The tax payers should also be made to feel the impact of the tax paid. The civil service worker who remits to the government coffers monthly at source, for example, still suffers lack as most of the offices are not in good conditions and the general welfare of the staff is low because of delayed or nonpayment of overhead/ impress.
Provision of amenities will help endear the people to the government while reducing violent and rebellious attitude from the youths and traders as well. Technically, some of these efforts should be seen not heard. The issue of duplicated recipients and staff impersonation will be easily checked if staff and other tax officials steer clear of sharp practices. The availability of security personnel without double standards amongst constant awareness by BIRS to the public on tax matters will yield results coupled with improved service delivery.