Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo has said that the time was apt to review the Nigerian tax law to enhance the development of the country.

Oshiomhole made the call when he received members of Course 24 of the National Defence College, led by the Commandant, Rear Adm. Samuel Alade, in Benin on Friday.

He told the Course 24, who was on a Geo Strategic Tour, that the review would ensure that every taxable Nigerian pays and benefits from their taxes.

The governor said that the APC government would ensure that every citizen pays tax, including the rich and elite, who should pay more and correctly too.

He said the tax review would enhance development and improve socio-economic activities which multiplier effect would benefit all especially the poor.

Oshiomhole said the state board of Internal Revenue had commenced the enumeration of taxable citizens in the informal sector to ensure that they paid their taxes and correctly too.

He said Nigerians needed to recognise that governance was about will, courage and focus.

According to him, the primary purpose of government is not the payment of salary alone but also to create an enabling environment for job creation and infrastructure development.

He said the state government would continue with developmental reforms and enact laws to ensure that taxes were paid by taxable citizens.

The governor said that though some persons were still resisting but government was not relenting.

Oshiomhole noted that the topic was apt as without internally generated revenue most states would not function effectively.

He also said a major challenge in revenue generation was that most civil servants did not pay correct taxes.

The governor said that when his administration came on board seven years ago all three arms of government were defaulting in the area of Pay As you Earn (PAYE).

He also said the first task was to correct it by ensuring that the era of exemption of the governor as a tax payer was stopped.

Oshiomhole stressed the need to build strong institutions not strong individuals as well as employ people based on merit to run the institutions.

The governor, however, advised Nigerians to do away with primordial sentiments.

He said it was heart-warming to know that the military was not just concerned about defending the territorial integrity of the nation, but also concerned about what happens in the country and its environment.

He called for increased security funding; stressing that security was both labour and capital intensive because modern equipment was needed for effective security management.

Earlier, Spade said the college choose the state, among 10 others because of the state governments’ belief and doggedness in making changes.

He added that the effort of the government was showing all over the state, especially in the area of infrastructure development. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Oshiomhole.