Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola at the weekend visited Iwo in continuation of his “thank you” tour of the state’s nine Federal constituencies.
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, urged the people to pay their taxes promptly to generate funds for the development of the state.
“There is no other way than to pay tax. We cannot continue to rely on funds from the Federation Account if we want to develop this state. What if there is no oil money?” he asked rhetorically.
The first-class monarch offered to lead the government’s campaign to persuade the people on the need for them to pay their tax promptly.
He said: “If you don’t pay tax, it is a shame. But if you pay, the government will fix roads and put other infrastructure in place.”
Oba Akanbi noted that developed countries rely on tax payment, saying: “Even at home here, Lagos functions because of payment of tax. Our people must be ready to pay tax.”
The Oluwo added: “Tax is a vehicle of development; it is as important as government itself in any society. It defines the rate of development in any state.
“If there is no fund, no iota of development can take place. So, if we want our basic needs, like good roads, electricity supply, potable water, among others, to be championed by the government, then, the time has come for us to be paying our taxes regularly.
?”Also, if we want genuine development, continuity of good governance and real ‘change’, all hands must be on deck to support the government with tax payment.
“As for me, I understand the importance of tax to government and good governance because in the years past, it was traditional rulers that mobilised people to meet their civic responsibilities to government?.
“I will volunteer myself to actualise the dream of Governor Oyetola-led administration to improve on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the betterment of all. So, I am advising Mr. Governor not to be afraid of taking loans, as long as it is for the development of the state.
“There is nothing wrong in taking loans for infrastructure development. Go ahead and access facilities to develop this state, as long as the loan is not for consumption.”
Oyetola, who assumed office on November 27, last year, told the monarch that he was ready to sign a pact with the people to utilise whatever is paid as tax in any community to develop the place.
He said: “As it is being suggested, I’m ready to sign an agreement with the people to use whatever they pay as tax to develop their community. Payment of tax is cardinal to development.”
The governor urged the people to continue to cooperate with the government.
Besides Iwo, the tour, which started in Osogbo, the state capital, took Oyetola to Ila Orangun, Ikirun, Ede, Ikire, Ile Ife, Ijebu Jesa and Ilesa.
At all the stops, the governor visited traditional rulers before holding town hall meetings.
Source: The Nation