Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the new Joint Tax Board Tax Board Tax Identification Number (TIN) registration system and national taxpayer database will trigger sustainable economic development in line with various strategic initiatives and programmes of the Federal Government.
The Vice President said this while flagging of the new national TIN registration system in Abuja on Monday, stating that the initiative is deserving of commendation as it is in line with international best practices.
According to him, tax administration must evolve alongside contemporary economic developments.
“The new TIN Registration System leverages on existing data from a variety of authorized identity management agencies, and the data from both individuals and corporate bodies are reliable and verifiable. Taking advantage of the current trends in information communications technology, it will indeed ensure convenience for the taxpayer, while achieving operational efficiency for the tax administrator, all dovetailing into enhanced revenues for governments at all tiers to fund their respective social-economic drives,” said Osinbajo.
The Vice President, who commended JTB over the initiative, added that all agencies critical to the optimal success of the new TIN system such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBBS) and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have been directed to fully cooperate with the JTB, especially in providing relevant individual records.
Speaking earlier, JTB Chairman, Mr. Tunde Fowler, said the new the new system will add immense value to tax-revenue administration in the country in terms of processes and procedures, as well as efficiency. According to Fowler, the new system will ensure a coordinated and systematic approach towards managing revenue generation as well as tax information sharing between and among tax authorities within and outside the country.
He added that the new system offers a range of immense benefits to the taxpayer.
“The consolidated database, apart from providing a unique identity to the taxpayer, also facilitates ease of compliance. It limits the incidence of double taxation and is a prerequisite for a number of transactions such as sale and purchase of immoveable property, registration of vehicles, land application, import and export licence, registration as a contractor and entry visas among others.
“Ultimately, the system promotes the ease of doing business for both individuals and corporate bodies.
“We believe that with the new TIN Registration System, we will be reinforcing the laudable efforts of this administration towards building a robust tax-revenue system, promoting a tax-friendly environment and ensuring a sustainable and inclusive economy for all Nigerians,” the JTB Chairman said.
Sir Oseni Elamah, Executive Secretary, JTB explained that the new system is a web-based solution offering access to authorized users to initiate TIN request from the comfort of their homes/offices real-time online, verify their tax status and print their TIN certificate.
“It is a transparent system that assures timely and accurate collection and recording of basic identification data. It also permits the tax administrator to understand its taxpayer base for effective revenue projections and other planning activities,” he said.
OGUN CJ SWEARS-IN 30 NEW CUSTOMARY COURT PRESIDENTS
The Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has charged the newly sworn-in customary Court Presidents and members to discharge their duties to the best of their knowledge and in accordance with the rule of laws.
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Justice Dipeolu stated this at the swearing-in of 30 customary Court Presidents and members, held at New Ogun State Judiciary Complex, Kobape, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.
She said that in actualization of the state’s agenda to decongest the courts, it has decided to commence the Intervention Week at Sagamu Magisterial District.
“This intervention week is borne out of the desire to fast-track cases and dispose them off speedily and the idea is that the Magistrates will sit longer than usual to dispose all the cases, now and old in their docket during that week”, Dipeolu said
She added that the appointment of Customary Court Presidents was aimed at bringing justice closer to the people of the state, adding that it would administer the Customary Court law of the state.
She said that the sole obligation of their duties was to interpret the law as it relates to land, inheritance, marriage and more (as stated under the law), under Customary Law.
“As you can see that they have gone through series of test and they have been found worthy of this appointment, I pray that God in His infinite mercy will grant them the grace and strength to discharge their duties according to their oath of office”, Dipeolu added
She urged the new appointees not to forget the motto of Ogun state Judiciary which is “Hardwork and Result”, in the words of Vince Lambard and also in the discharge of their duties, “The price of success was hardwork, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand”, she said
She admonished them to flee from any form of corruption, laziness and favouritism, as corruption was a cankerworm that must be abhorred, but rather embrace transparency, hardwork, uphold the oath of office and dispense justice without fear or favour and with the help of God.
She also implored them to be disciplined and avoid any act or acts that would bring disrepute to the Ogun State Judiciary, warned them that no form of corruption, laziness and unethical acts would be condoned.
