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PSIRS Reaffirms Commitment to Recognizing Taxpayers, Highlights Development Efforts
The Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS) has reiterated its commitment to recognizing tax-compliant individuals and businesses, emphasizing their vital role in the state’s development.
Speaking at the Taxpayers’ Month celebration in Bukuru, Jos South, PSIRS Chairman Jim Pam Wayas commended taxpayers for their contributions to sustaining government initiatives. He pledged to enhance engagement with them, noting that revenue generation in the state had increased from ₦25 billion to ₦31.14 billion in 2024.
“Every naira paid in tax is an investment in Plateau’s future. It is what allows the government to construct roads, provide water, improve healthcare, and enhance education. The more people comply, the more the government can do.
“As a revenue service, what we do is collect revenue to help the government fund critical projects and infrastructure.
“The government of the day is built on true leadership, sincerity, and a God-fearing approach. Despite lean resources, it has continued to drive developmental change,” he emphasized.
Citing ongoing projects, he highlighted the extensive fencing of the Jos Wildlife Park across multiple locations, including Federal Lowcost, State Lowcost, Tudun Wada, Mado, and Kabong.
“I recently joined the government on an inspection tour, and I was amazed at the scale of work being done. Even the rocky terrains around Kabong are being covered,” he added.
Wayas also highlighted improvements in internal roads and water supply, noting ongoing secondary road construction and major investments to address seasonal water scarcity.
He particularly recognized the Nigerian Electricity Supply Corporation (NESCO) for its long-standing role in powering Plateau State, especially in rural areas where tin mining activities occur. He praised the company’s tax compliance and urged continued partnership, acknowledging its efforts in maintaining aging infrastructure while ensuring electricity supply.
NESCO’s Human Resource and Administration Manager, Abraham Adama, welcomed the recognition, describing it as motivation for the company to maintain its service delivery. Despite challenges, he remained optimistic about strengthened partnerships with the government and other stakeholders, believing that enhanced collaboration could drive greater progress.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Jos South Plateau State Traders and Marketers Association, Saidu Ahmad Gambo, praised the government’s infrastructure efforts and urged traders to remain tax-compliant.
“If we continue fulfilling our tax obligations, the government will be better positioned to improve infrastructure and support businesses,” he said.
Some traders, including Augustine Okoh and Nanret Aliyu, acknowledged the government’s efforts but appealed for more support. Okoh called for the reconstruction of shops destroyed since May last year, while Aliyu stressed the need for better roads, electricity, and water supply to enhance the business environment.
The event featured musical performances, on-site Tax Identification Number (TIN) registration, and sensitization on the importance of tax compliance. Compliant taxpayers were also recognized and presented with hampers in appreciation of their contributions.
A video has shown some members of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (the Izala sect) chanting and demanding AK-47 rifles to shoot Christian infidels in Enugu and Jos, the capital of Plateau.
In the video, a young man dressed in Izala Volunteer Corps uniform, a beige and blue beret colour, chanted, “Give us AK. Give AK. Let’s go to Enugu among infidels on Sunday while they are worshipping. Let’s open fire on them.” Several others chanted along with him in the video.
The chorus leader called for AK-47 rifles to invade churches in Jos.
Sheikh Bala Lau, the national chairman of JIBWIS, on Monday condemned the call for violence by its sect members, urging the State Security Service, the police and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, identify those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.
A netizen, @Arojinle, said, “That’s Izala’s uniform. I hope the @PoliceNG and @OfficialDSSNG take action before we have another terrorist faction within us. One major problem is that Izala adherents are not in the North alone. They exist in Hausa-dominated microenvironments. I’ve seen their branded bus at Sabo, Ìbàdàn, several times.”
“Just watched a disturbing video of this Izala (JIBWIS) Agaji member singing a gyration song while leading his team, saying, “Give me AK-47 so that I will go to Enugu and kill infidels (arna) on Sunday while they are praying and happy. Give me guns to go to Jos and kill more infidels—that is the Sunnah, that is the training,” @Timmosion said. “You may think this is just music or a joke, but deep down, that is their true mindset. The only thing standing between them and carrying out such thoughts is the secular state and its laws.”
@Abdul_Ahmad said, “With all due respect, this is completely wrong and not part of the teaching of Islam. I’m calling the attention of the Izala 2 leadership under Sheikh Bala Lau and Kabiru Gombe to look into this matter with immediate effect so as not to produce more extremists.”
Police spokesperson Ani Iniedu did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the video.
Osun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has urged Nigerians to vote against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2027 general elections, accusing the party of failing to demonstrate the capacity to manage the country effectively.
The ADC also dismissed allegations that it had failed to pay its secretariat staff for more than a year, describing the claim as an attempt by the APC to undermine its credibility and portray it as unfit to govern Nigeria.
The party stated this in a statement signed by its Osun State Publicity Secretary, Oluwaseun Abosede, on Tuesday.
The statement was in response to a statement attributed to the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
“The APC’s attempt to portray the ADC as a party incapable of governing Nigeria is neither an argument based on sound reasoning nor a credible assessment of our capacity to lead,” the statement read.
ADC argued that the ruling party was attempting to divert public attention from the economic challenges facing Nigerians, including rising living costs, insecurity and mounting financial pressures on households and businesses.
“Nigerians are interested in leadership that delivers results, not an administration that issues statements condemning its opponents while struggling to convince citizens that its own record deserves another mandate," it added.
The opposition party also accused the APC Presidential Campaign Council of targeting its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, over issues surrounding salary modulation and outstanding pension obligations during his tenure as Osun State governor.
It criticised the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, and the APC for allegedly reducing Aregbesola’s eight-year administration to a single issue while overlooking its policies on infrastructure, education and other sectors.
Highlighting the administration’s achievements, the ADC said it constructed 170 model schools, comprising 100 elementary schools, 50 middle schools and 20 high schools.
It also cited reduced fees in state-owned tertiary institutions, bursary payments and assistance for medical students undertaking clinical training abroad.
The party said the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, O-YES, created employment opportunities for thousands of young people, while road projects delivered more than 300 kilometres of township roads and 222 kilometres of rural roads through interventions supported by the World Bank and the French government under the Rural Access and Mobility Project.
On healthcare, the ADC said the administration "upgraded or rehabilitated more than nine state hospitals and 12 comprehensive health centres."
It also cited the establishment of the Osun Ambulance Service, alongside the Omoluabi Garment Factory, the O’Clean environmental sanitation initiative and projects aimed at reducing flooding.
The party added that the administration introduced social welfare programmes, including Agba Osun for older residents and O-Widow for widows, while supporting agriculture and food production.
It maintained that it would focus on policy proposals and practical solutions rather than exchanging insults with the APC.
“The time has come for Nigerians to reject political propaganda and demand accountable leadership that prioritises the welfare of the people. We urge voters to use their ballots in the 2027 general elections to decide the ruling party’s political future," it concluded.
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