Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, yesterday, called for the strengthening of the relationship between FIRS and the Armed Forces in the country.
Adedeji made the call when he received the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who visited the Revenue House in Abuja with his team of Generals.
A statement from the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, quoted Adedeji as saying that prosperity and development would be difficult to achieve in an insecure environment.
It stated: “A lot of people will ask: What is the relationship between the Armed Forces and FIRS? What you will hear President Bola Tinubu say at all times is that we will not tax the seeds, but the fruits from them. This means that when we plant the seeds, we water it to grow.
“The Armed Forces personnel are the people, who help us to guide the vineyard where the seeds are planted, especially in the oil and gas industry. They make it possible for us to go into the vineyards to pluck the fruits.”
“Without you, we will not have the right fruits. If there is no security, there is no way prosperity can happen. We are interested in prosperity because that is what we want to tax.”
Earlier, the CDS had pledged the support of the military to FIRS in its operations and determination to make available the needed revenue for government services.
“The more FIRS succeeds, the more Nigeria benefits from the institution. So, FIRS is really very crucial to the government and to us as members of the Armed Forces as well as to the country.
“We are also here to show our commitment to ensuring that we give you all support whenever it is needed so you can do your job without any harassment or intimidation from any quarters.
“FIRS can raise funds for the Federation. We know the importance of taxation and how it brings development. We are beginning to have awareness from members of the public, who now realise that the taxes they pay are important for the development of the country,” Musa said.
