Revenue Leakage: Oyo Govt Switches To Technology

The Oyo state Government has revealed that it is switching to technology to drive revenue collection in order to curb every form of revenue leakage, in line with global best practices.

The Chairman, OYO State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Adebowale Olufemi Awakan, made this revelation on Friday in Ibadan, during a live appearance on Aloore Online Radio, the broadcasting arm of the State Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

Mr. Olufemi acknowledged that the revenue generation in the State has increased about 90% to what was met on ground, noting that team work and dedication from his team members led to the improvement in revenue generation.

Awakan said “I have a strong team who we go together on tax drive everyday, to companies, business locations, hotels, etc to educate them on reasons why they should pay their taxes, how to pay, where and when to pay their taxes.

“The efforts made and still making to sensitize the people has been yielding great results, hence the increase in revenue generation.”

While giving further explanation on taxation, the Chairman said taxation is charged on employment, businesses, vocation and profession. “On employment, you pay as you earn (PAYE), while business is based on direct assessment, he explained.

Mr. Olufemi reiterated further that the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into revenue collection will improve on government-taxpayer relationship, block financial leakages and bring comfort to taxpayers, such that they can pay in the comfort of their rooms without having to go to the bank.

He therefore charged those who are already on board when it comes to tax payment to keep on paying their taxes as the government is putting into good use all the taxes paid, encouraging those who are not yet on board to do so.