Adedokun Adebowale
The Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS) has commenced a three-day stakeholder engagement on the implementation of the new tax laws in the state. The retreat, held at the Centre for Black Arts and Culture, was declared open by the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
In his opening address delivered by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, Governor Adeleke underscored the significance of taxation as the most reliable and sustainable source of government revenue for public finance.
He stressed that the effective implementation of the new tax laws requires mutual understanding and continuous engagement among government agencies, describing the retreat as timely.
Governor Adeleke emphasised that the objective of the New Tax Act is not to place an additional burden on the people but to promote fairness, expand the tax net, and enhance Osun State’s revenue base.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Chairman of OIRS, Hon. Solanke-Hamzat, highlighted the need to understand the provisions of the new laws to leverage the opportunities within them, thereby strengthening the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He also appreciated Governor Adeleke for his consistent support to the Service.
In their separate presentations, facilitators Dr. Tolu Adegbie and Dr. Babatunde Ololade emphasised the necessity for an autonomous Osun Internal Revenue Service, free from bureaucratic encumbrances, to function optimally under the new legal framework.
They urged the Osun State House of Assembly to begin the process of domesticating the new tax laws by granting OIRS autonomous status.
Among those present at the retreat were the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Olumide Fatunmise; the Head of Service, Elder Samuel Ayanleye; political appointees; accounting officers of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs); and local government administrators.
