The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) in Borno state is to curb tax evasion and staff bullying by individuals and organisations operating in the state.

Addressing newsmen shortly after a brief sensitisation meeting with staff of the Revenue Service on Thursday in Maiduguri, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner overseeing Borno and Yobe states, Linus Gubbi, said; “Our strategic collaboration with NRS was aimed at strengthening the Agency to enable the smooth discharge of its responsibilities across the state..

He further revealed: “This collaboration, however, means a lot to us.

“It will enhance our job because, as a government agency, you cannot work alone. Rather, you collaborate with other organisations that can provide intelligence-driven innovation and other information.

“Since part of our enforcement mandate is to invite defaulting individuals and organisations, who do not want to pay their taxes, when we get reports from them (NRS.

ICPC will investigate further and make the defaulters pay those outstanding taxes or make recoveries in respect of tax that is meant to go into the government’s coffers.”

Gubbi noted that the sensitisation effort was part of the commission’s mandate to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in revenue generation.

Beyond the prompt payments of taxes, Gubbi stated: “It is part of our mandate in the ICPC to also enlighten the public on issues of corrupt practices, and that is why we are here today at the Nigeria Revenue Service, Borno office, to sensitize them on the need for transparency, accountability and integrity in revenue generation.

“We intend to sensitise them so that there will be improvement in the collection and management of revenue in Borno State.

“This is also important, because we know it is revenue that helps us to develop our country and build the various infrastructural facilities in the country.”

The Resident Commissioner stressed that the commission’s effort also aligns with the tax reform plans of the Federal Government.

“This is part of the tax reform efforts because there are so many stakeholders involved in the generation and collection of tax in the country, and we know there are individuals who will want to cut corners. So, we are partnering together to ensure that things are done in the right way,” he stated.

The Tax Controller of the Nigeria Revenue Service in Maiduguri, Adamu Muhammad, commended the ICPC, describing the sensitisation as timely.

“The training is timely and very important. It is a wake-up call. However, we are all aware of the rules and regulations guiding revenue generation operations. Even at that, the visit has impacted my people and me because many relevant issues were highlighted, and I am sure all my staff members are happy with the visit,” Muhammad said.

He added that the Commission had assured the organisation’s staff members of assistance whenever they faced issues relating to bullying during field operations for revenue collection.

“On staff bullying, we do not face it in all cases, but it happens occasionally. However, I am happy that the commissioner has responded to the issue and promised to be of help anytime we have such cases,” he said.