Aregbesola Calls For Support On Taxation

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has called on the leadership and members of his political party, All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state on the need to champion his administration’s policies in actualizing an increased revenue base.

As he dispelled the allegation that his government was executing capital projects with workers’ salaries, describing it as mischievous, baseless and derogatory.
Governor Aregbesola made the call while inaugurating members of the party’s Elders Forum, at the State Party Secretariat, Osogbo.
He tasked the newly inaugurated members of the Forum to support the government at advocating and reawakening the consciousness of people towards regular tax payment.
Aregbesola who described members of the newly inaugurated Forum as distinguished and accomplished citizens whose wealth of experience had contributed greatly to the lives of their people, urging them to effectively replicate same gestures in the task they are saddled with.
He disclosed that the worrisome economic situation in the country has given an insight towards enhancing agricultural productivity and maximized tax revenues which according to him could only be achieved by collective efforts.
Governor Aregbesola disclosed that the ongoing tax regime policies of his administration has been positively structured so as to be of greater benefit not only to the government but to the entire citizens.
He said, “this inauguration was deemed fit purposefully to serve as driven force of winning elections at grassroots and as well support our government at actualizing its goals towards improved taxation.
“In view of this noble initiative, it is pertinent for the members to specially extend their beneficial support and cooperation towards the success of this administration.
“Obviously, the time has come for all of us as members, followers, leaders and stakeholders to embrace the current economic situation and as well support the government in its bid to maximize its revenue basis.
Governor Aregbesola however used the occasion to debunk the allegation credited to the members of the opposition that his government was using the funds purportedly meant for workers’ salaries to service capital projects, saying on no account does his government perpetrates such inhuman act.
The Governor explained that his government has been prudent in managing the affairs of the state in spite of the meagre resources, analyzing that it was the Sukuk bond that his administration has been using to finance the ongoing construction of the utra-modern schools.
He also clarified that the ongoing reconstruction of Olaiya-Asubiaro-Itaolokan road is being financed out of the state’s emergency fund.
Governor Aregbesola admitted that his administration’s commitment and passion in re-positioning the state led him to embark on numerous projects which some of them are still ongoing.
“It is laughable and erroneous for any sane or heartily minded person to conceptualize that our government has been financing capital projects with money meant for workers.
“We have been transparent in all aspects of our activities and all the loans we were granted were not secretive.
“So it is better for mischief makers to face reality and stop spreading unguided rumor against our government”, he warned.
The Governor therefore assured the total completion of the ongoing projects in the state before the expiration of his tenure.