Picture: L-R: The Executive Director of SIDEC, Ugochi Ehiahuruike with Nnewi North Executive Chairman, Hon Echezona Anazodo in one of the advocacy visits
Social and Integral Development Center (SIDEC) in its advocacy engagement has risen to strengthen government commitment to improved tax transparency, accountability and service delivery.
The group which is headed by Ugochi Agalaba-Ehiahuruike as its Executive Director has been traversing the length and breath of Anambra State with her team paying advocacy visits to ministries and Executive Chairmen of Council Areas.
The visits have been well used to share research findings with the stakeholders to whom the needs of the major markets in Anambra are submitted.
The core objective has been to engage the policymakers on the importance of reinventing tax revenues into social services.
SIDEC in the course of these visits presents budget analysis of 2021 to 2025 in line with the needs of the markets. It advocates for inclusive policies that ensure tax collection aligns with citizens and traders’ needs.
The group in its advocacy, foster collaboration between local government authorities and civil society organizations for sustainable development.
Its message has been that tax compliance improves when services are visible.
“Citizens are more likely to pay taxes when they see results. This harps on the need to strengthen tax transparency to increase public trust and voluntary completion.
“We acknowledge testimonies of revenue so far collected being judiciously utilized by the present administration. This must be improved upon.
“Relevant MDAs and local government authorities must lead by example. Effective tax-for-service implementation starts at the grassroots.
“Public accountability is key in ensuring that revenues are used responsibly for community development, “the Executive Director said.
In recent visits to the Executive Chairmen of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon Amaka Obi and her Nnewi North counterpart, Hon Echezona Anazodo, respectively SIDEC had told them the need for policy commitments on tax transparency and service delivery.
The group also canvassed for stronger collaboration between government and civil society organizations on tax monitoring and reporting.
SIDEC expressed the need for improved tax policy with recommendations based on community feedback.
Offices visited pledged co-operation with the SIDEC for effective implementation of the tax policy to achieve the set objective.
They also made a firm promise to show greater concern to the welfare of the traders and other citizens who they insisted had not been neglected in the scheme of things over time.
