Determined to boost its internally generated revenue (IGR) collections for sustainable development, Bayelsa State Government has constituted a tax advisory committee headed by the state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The committee, which was constituted during the fourth executive council meeting held in Yenagoa, was charged with the responsibility of identifying all non-oil revenue sources for exploration and improved IGR to make the state less dependent on monthly allocations from the federation account.
The Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Ayibaina Duba, who announced the constitution of the committee, said the government’s fiscal initiative was part of the efforts to inject more funds into housing and agricultural sectors, amongst others, to fulfil the present administration’s electioneering promises to the people.
Duba said council gave its mandate for the committee’s work to commence in the six areas identified for housing development.
According to him, the issues concerning procurement and taxes were elaborately deliberated upon by the council in view of their increasing relevance to the state’s economic blueprint and thus necessitated the establishment of the advisory committee.
The commissioner listed other members of the tax advisory committee as including the Commissioners for Finance, Agriculture, Transportation, Justice, Budget, Environment, Trade and Investment, the Accountant General of the state, chairman of the state internal revenue board and three others to be appointed as members and secretary.
