BAYELSA ECONOMY: GOV DICKSON SIGNS REVENUE COURT BILL INTO LAW.....TO BOOST TAX DRIVE,SHORE UP STATE'S IGR

Hon Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Friday signed a bill known as the Revenue Court Bill into law, as part of efforts to boost its current tax drive.Governor Dickson expressed optimism that, the passage and eventual signing of the bill has provided the much needed legal framework for the state government to shore up its revenues using legitimate means.The Governor, who lamented that revenues accruing to the state have dropped almost by a quarter, underscored the need for the government to embark on an aggressive tax drive to strengthen its internally generated revenue base.He said the legislation, which gives legal backing to the creation of a revenue court to adjudicate over tax related issues, would not only help to check the problem of tax evasion, but improve the IGR profile of the state to enable the government meet its development and welfare obligations to the people.Governor Dickson, however, urged all taxable adults and corporate organizations, particularly multinational oil companies operating in the state to be alive to their tax obligations, as his administration would not hesitate to enforce extant laws to punish defaulters.