From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state has ordered immediate stoppage of Presentation of Parents Tax Clearance Certificate as condition for registration of students in the state owned tertiary institutions.
Governor Ododo’s directive was announced by the Chairman of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, Sule Salihu Enehe during the first annual media chart with Journalists in Lokoja on Wednesday.
Enehe told journalists that governor Ododo’s intervention followed the outcry of students and citizens of the state on the hazards associated with the policy of presenting parents tax clearance certificate as bases for students registration.
“Following this directive, no student should be denied registration because of non-presentation of their parents tax clearance certificate”
According to the the Chairman of KGIRS, the directive for all students to produce their parents tax clearance certificate came from the Office of the Secretary to Kogi State Government for implementation by his office.
The Chairman also announced the directive of Governor Ododo that payment of taxes by parents and other taxable adults is mandatory and constitutional stressing the need for them to live up to their responsibilities
“Constitution makes it mandatory for every taxable citizens to pay their taxes as at when due via Personal Income tax as entrenched in the nation’s constitution
“Provisions of basic infrastructure, educational and health facilities among others can only be achieved if citizens pay their taxes promptly” Ododo explained.
Enehe reiterated the commitment of KGIRS towards boosting effective tax administration to mobilize resources for the state to meet up with provision of democracy dividends to the people.
