As part of its ongoing restructuring to better serve the taxpayers in the country, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has unveiled a new slogan and also inaugurated a Customer Service Optimisation Committee to promptly address enquiries by taxpayers.
The revenue-collecting agency had, at its strategic management retreat earlier in the year, unveiled a customer-centric approach which puts taxpayers at the centre of all its operations.
The Executive Chairman of the Service, Zacch Adedeji, upon assumption of office last year stressed the need to make FIRS render improved services that would change the perception of the taxpayers and build trust in the agency.
Speaking at the unveiling of the new slogan on Friday, the FIRS chairman gave the new slogan as ‘Simplifying Tax, Maximising Revenue’ as replacing the now old slogan ‘It Pays To Pay Your Tax’.
The Technical Assistant (Media) to the FIRS chairman, Sikiru Akinola, quoted the FIRS boss as saying that the new slogan is the winning entry from Mohammed Gidado, a staff of the agency from one of its offices in Bauchi State, adding that the winning slogan and entries from runners-up best captured the essence of the agency’s mission and strategic direction.
On the Customer Service Optimization Committee, the tax administrator stressed that the committee was put in place to address the fundamental need for continuous improvement in the agency’s customer service practice.
He expatiated: “In today’s rapidly changing environment, maintaining high standards of customer service is essential to ensure taxpayer satisfaction and compliance.
“This committee will systematically review our current practices, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes that will streamline our processes and enhance overall service delivery.
“The committee will play a pivotal role in building and maintaining public trust in FIRS. By focusing on transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness, we can foster a positive relationship with taxpayers, encouraging voluntary compliance and strengthening the credibility of our institution.
“The committee’s efforts to benchmark against global best practices will ensure that FIRS remains a leader in tax administration both nationally and internationally”, Adedeji added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Staff to the chairman, Mr Tayo Koleosho, said the need to adjust some initiatives came into being after the strategic reforms carried by FIRS.
He said: “Rather than bring outsiders to do most of our work, we believe we have capable hands, who can do this. So, that was why we asked our members of staff to take part in the slogan challenge which produced the best three slogans that best captured our strategic direction.
“We understand that it is important for us to have a unified slogan. Our ‘It pays to pay your taxes’ continues to be true. But as we reform, it is important we note the past, the now and the future we are going to. That’s why we come forward with a slogan that resonates with the agenda of the chairman”, Koleosho stressed.
About 950 staff of FIRS participated in a slogan competition with three entries selected. The winner and the runners up, Shehu Hauwa Abubakar and Sanni Kabiru, were all given plaques and cash prizes.
Photo Caption
R-L: Winner of FIRS slogan challenge and staff of the agency from its Bauchi State office, Mohammed Gidado; FIRS chairman, Zacch Adedeji; first runner up, Shehu Hauwa Abubakar from Kaduna office of FIRS; and second runner up, Sanni Kabiru from Research and Statistics Department, during the unveiling of the new slogan at the Revenue House on Friday in Abuja
