JOINT TAX BOARD BEGINS CUSTOMISED INSPECTORS OF TAXES COURSE WITH DELTA STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

JOINT TAX BOARD BEGINS CUSTOMISED INSPECTORS OF TAXES COURSE WITH DELTA STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

In its quest to entrench professionalism and ethical standards in the administration of taxes in the country, the Joint Tax Board (JTB) has commenced the Final Inspectors of Taxes course for the staff of Delta State Internal Revenue Service (DIRS).

This customized course has been exclusively organized for the staff of the DIRS, and it is the first of its kind. This edition has been modelled in line with the revised skills curriculum designed by the JTB to equip staff of tax authorities across the country with the requisite tax administration skills for the advancement of the system.

Declaring the course open, the Secretary of JTB, Nana-Aisha Obomeghie, spoke of the importance of capacity building especially in service-oriented organizations which, according to her, is key to any meaningful success.

She reminded the participants that taxation and revenue generation, like any other sector of the economy, have taken a new dimension following the devastating effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, hence stakeholders should design and implement various measures towards cushioning the adverse effect. She identified one of such measures as human capacity building through a regular re-jig of the skills and capacities of tax administrators to enable them perform optimally.

“In today’s knowledge-driven environment, the extent to which the best can be derived from the personnel will also be dependent on their use and application of knowledge, and such knowledge can only be derived from quality capacity building programs, designed to address gaps that are likely to emerge in the very dynamic and fast-paced world of revenue generation. This is especially more so with the rapid development in technology and ICT”, the Secretary canvassed.

According to her, the Inspectors of Taxes course is one of the fundamental means employed by the JTB to fill this gap, to equip our revenue administrators nationwide with knowledge on the multiple facets of tax administration.

Mrs. Obomeghie added that the course is also meant to introduce to participants new and better ways of managing the revenue generating processes and procedures required for effective harnessing of the inherent revenue potentials within their respective jurisdictions.

The Secretary, while urging the participants to strive for excellence, called on them to embrace the four cardinal pillars that inform the vision of the JTB Chairman, Muhammad Nami, which metamorphosed into the central theme of building customer-centric institutions. She expressed optimism that when tax administrators are equipped with the necessary skills and training to function, tax administration, which is indeed a service-oriented enterprise, shall reach and even surpass the lofty institutional goals and objectives that will bring about a friendlier tax environment in our nation.

She appreciated Mr. Nami and the management team of the Delta State Internal Revenue Service for bringing the Final Inspectors of Taxes Course to the doorstep of DIRS staff. “This unique initiative is commendable and has ensured a maximum involvement of the eligible personnel of the Board,” the Secretary further stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman, Delta State Internal Revenue Service, Sir Monday John Onyeme, noted that capacity building in any service-oriented organization cannot be overemphasized, hence his commitment to ensuring that staff of the DIRS are fully equipped with the necessary skills to perform optimally for effective service delivery.

He said that DIRS, as a key stakeholder in the Stronger Delta Agenda (a sobriquet for the development agenda of the Delta State Governor), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, will strive towards fulfilling its mandate of generating adequate funds for the State to enable the administration execute viable projects for the citizens.

Sir Onyeme while thanking the JTB for bringing the training to Delta State, urged the participants to re-dedicate themselves to the call to duty, and ensure that the knowledge acquired during the training is effectively utilized for increased internally generated revenue for the State.

The duration of the Course is ten weeks.