FIRS Partners Armed Forces For Safe Business Environment
By Patience Ikpeme
The importance of continuous mutually beneficial partnership between the FIRS and the Armed forces in the country has been called upon.
This call was made by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, during a courtesy call by the Chief of Defence staff, General Christopher Musa and his team of Generals to the revenue house, on Tuesday in Abuja.
During this visit, Zacch Adedeji stressed the importance of strengthening the existing mutually beneficial partnership between the FIRS and the armed forces in the country.
Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, reported that Adedeji highlighted the challenges of achieving prosperity and development in an insecure environment.
Adedeji elaborated on the connection between the Armed Forces and the FIRS, explaining, “Many people may wonder about the relationship between the Armed Forces and the FIRS. President Bola Tinubu often emphasizes that we should not tax the seeds but the fruits that come from them. This means that when we plant the seeds, we nurture them to grow.
“The Armed Forces personnel are the ones who help us to protect the fields where the seeds are planted, especially in the oil and gas industry. They enable us to enter the fields to harvest the fruits.” He added, “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.”
“So, there is a mutually beneficial relationship between the Armed Forces and FIRS. We do not take this relationship for granted. When companies cannot operate due to insecurity, they will not make profits, and without profits, there will be nothing to tax.
“That is why the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and security operatives in general is a top priority for President Bola Tinubu.
“It is when we have security that prosperity can come, and it is when there is prosperity that we will have the revenue to contribute to the federation,” Adedeji told General Musa.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff had pledged the military’s support to FIRS in its operations and determination to provide the necessary revenue for government services.
“The more FIRS succeeds, the more Nigeria benefits from the institution. So, FIRS is really crucial to the government and to us as members of the Armed Forces as well as to the country.
“We are also here to demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that we provide you with all the support whenever it is needed so you can do your job without any harassment or intimidation from any quarters.
“FIRS is able to raise funds for the federation. We understand the importance of taxation and how it contributes to development. We are beginning to see awareness from members of the public who now realize that the taxes they pay are important for the country’s development,” General Musa said.
