EIRS BOSS ADVOCATES STRONGER TAXPAYER RELATIONS, PROMOTES COMPLIANCE DURING FACT-FINDING VISIT TO UTESI INDUSTRIAL HUB
In a bid to enhance voluntary tax compliance and foster a collaborative business environment, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Mr. John Odior FCA, ACTI has called for a strengthened relationship between the state tax authority and corporate taxpayers, anchored on mutual respect and open communication.
Mr. Odior made the call during a courtesy and familiarization visit to major manufacturing firms in Utesi Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, including Time Ceramics Nigeria Limited and Yongxing Steel Company Nigeria Limited.
Addressing top management during his first official working visit to manufacturing firms since assuming office, the EIRS boss emphasized that sustainable revenue generation relies on seamless cooperation rather than friction. He urged corporate entities to ensure prompt remittance of their monthly tax obligations, including Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and withholding taxes, to guarantee smooth operations with the state government.
“This relationship must be strengthened, and we must respect our mutual collaboration,” Odior stated. “As tax officials, we are legally empowered to have unhindered access to corporate premises for official assignments, audit reviews, and compliance checks. We want this interaction to remain civil, transparent, and mutually beneficial.”
He reassured the business community that the state government is actively implementing measures to checkmate arbitrary over-assessment and curb the incidence of multiple taxation across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Responding on behalf of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Pearse Bratte commended the EIRS leadership for adopting a stakeholder-centric approach. He expressed the willingness of manufacturing concerns in the state to comply with all extant tax laws and grant revenue officers necessary access for official duties.
Similarly, representatives of Yongxing Steel Company Nigeria Limited highlighted their ongoing compliance efforts and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives within the host community, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the state’s economic development.
The visit, which featured guided facility tours and a formal exchange of corporate gifts, forms part of EIRS’s broader strategic campaign to boost taxpayer education, streamline tax audit procedures, and attract further industrial investment to Edo State.
