Board of Internal Revenue Composition:

"The Revamp of Taraba Revenue Systems,  Blending of Military and Professional Expertise"

By Olayinka Gabriel

As a professional accountant and tax consultant, and having served as chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Taraba State for two terms, I've been deeply worried and concerned about the profile of Taraba State Internal Revenue.

If you examine the 2024 budget, you'll notice that internally generated revenue accounts for less than 10% of the funding.

With its abundance of natural resources, Taraba has the potential to significantly increase its internally generated revenue(IGR) to the point where it no longer relies on federal allocations.

Today as it stands, Taraba State is considered among the states deemed non-viable. if federal Allocation is delayed for any reason, the state will be unable to pay salary and meet its own recurrent expenditure.Thanks to the current federal allocation, there is currently an increase. However, should we continue relying on external revenue success? It's not entirely within the state's control, as it depends on various unpredictable factors such as international oil benchmarks and foreign currency fluctuations etc.

Over the years, a significant portion of revenue that should have accrued to the state has ended up in personal pockets. Driving around Taraba State's capital, one can observe that many luxurious houses, hotels, filling stations, and other businesses are owned by accountants and revenue officers. These funds, meant for the state's common good and infrastructure development, have been diverted. The extent of decay is staggering. For instance, a few years ago, a client was charged 5 million as tax, but after our assessment, we determined it should only be about 1 million. However, the officer in charge demanded the full 1 million be paid to him with promises of covering up the discrepancy. My partner and I refused and submitted a letter of objection to the tax assessment. Unfortunately, to this day, both the state and the office have lost the 1 million that should have rightfully accrued to the state.

The alarming tale of corruption within the state's revenue system raises questions about the development achieved during the prosperous years of Madred. Instead of significant progress, we witnessed the construction of lavish houses for revenue collectors. It's a lamentable loss, not only of oil but also of the potential we failed to maximize.

Over the years, the state government has exacerbated the situation by appointing individuals to the board based solely on political reasons. This has resulted in medical doctors and other non-professionals being placed at the helm of the revenue board, further hindering its effectiveness.

 I could say that, since the creation of the state, this is the first time competent and experienced individuals have been asked to lead the board.

Here is the composition of the board:

TARABA STATE BOARD OF INTERNAL REVENUE 

Brig-Gen Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa (Rtd)

Chairman

Magai Bala Agyo

Member

Theophilus Kabuin Japhet

Member

Mairo Mohammed

Member

Ivo Idi Andrew

Member

Nalla Barau Nyaku

Member

Brig-Gen Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa (Rtd) who is chairing the board is a Military Accountant and member of many accounting Professional bodies, with many year of experience even at the military pension board. Faransa is a no-nonsense man who within a short period of time as the chairman of Special Task force of illegal Mining has toured the whole of Taraba State, a risk taker that has stopped alot of illegality and destruction of Taraba land and natural resources.

Four additional members of the board are Taraba indigenes who have already attained the rank of directors and assistant directors at the Federal Inland Revenue Service, each specializing in different departments. Their extensive experience at the federal level is certain to be invaluable in reforming the Taraba State Board of Internal Revenue.

Reforming the Taraba revenue system will undoubtedly be challenging, but with the military and professional approach in place, I have confidence that we will soon achieve success.