Taraba traders and ethnic groups support voluntary tax compliance

Stakeholders and market leaders representing a range of ethnic groups and traders’ associations in Taraba State have reaffirmed their support for government efforts to increase internally generated revenue (IGR) through voluntary tax compliance.

The pledge was made during a tax‑sensitisation walk in Jalingo, where participants unanimously stressed that prompt tax payment is essential for the state’s development.

According to the stakeholders, IGR supplies the government with the resources needed to invest in critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare and other public services that directly affect citizens’ welfare.

The campaign was organised by the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service (TIRS) in partnership with i4CUS Nigeria Limited, the state’s revenue‑automation consultant.

The event introduced taxpayers to a newly deployed automated tax‑payment system designed to modernise revenue administration.

Daily Post reports that the end‑to‑end encrypted digital platform is intended to improve transparency, accountability and ease of payment while reducing revenue leakages and boosting the efficiency of collection across the state.

Speaking at the rally, Abama Judy Joy, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of i4CUS Nigeria Limited, said the partnership with TIRS focuses on strengthening Taraba State’s revenue‑generation capacity through innovative technology solutions aligned with global best practices.

She added that the digital transformation initiative will simplify tax‑payment processes and build greater trust and confidence among taxpayers.

Participants expressed their readiness to adopt the new digital tax system, noting that sustainable development can only be achieved when citizens fulfil their civic responsibilities through voluntary compliance.

The revenue‑reform initiative, which began last year, is expected to significantly raise the state’s IGR, improve compliance levels and lay a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth, better service delivery and long‑term development.

Earlier, Brigadier General (rtd) Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa, Chairman of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service, said the initiative aims to strengthen public confidence in the state’s revenue‑administration system through direct engagement with taxpayers.

Faransa praised traders from various ethnic groups for demonstrating their commitment to fulfilling their legal tax obligations.

He also warned that no individual or group is authorised to collect taxes illegally or divert government revenue into personal accounts, and urged residents to use official tax‑payment channels to support ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in revenue collection across the state.