TheCable

Muhammad Nami, the newly confirmed executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has resumed at the Revenue House in Abuja.

Nami resumes 10 days after Babatunde Fowler, the erstwhile chairman, ended his tenure as FIRS chairman.

His appointment was confirmed by the senate on Wednesday.

Nami held a meeting the management and staff of the service and assured them that he would work with them to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s aim of appointing him.

“I am overwhelmed by the reception by all of you despite the short notice. I hope that you will continue to give me this support as we work together to build capacity and raise the revenue for the country. I assure you that we will work together to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s aim of appointing me,” he said.

“This task, as enormous as it is, requires masterstroke measures, resilience in policy implementation and foresight to evolve novel ideas. I shall spare no effort to summon the courage to actualise this task. Most times, success is borne out of the will to endure hardship such as tax drive entails.

“I am equally aware that for too long, Nigeria’s economy has been in dire straits with attendant socio-economic challenges. It is as a result of these challenges that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has been making strident efforts towards putting the economy back on the track.

“Part of these efforts is the administration’s attempt towards making tax revenue generation and collection the cornerstone of its economic recovery efforts. I, therefore, understand that my mandate is to facilitate the administration’s economic recovery drive through increased tax revenue generation by opening up new potential revenue sources.”

Nami, who is a member of the presidential committee on audit of recovered stolen assets, urged the staff to cooperate with him adding that he would work to improve the processes available at the FIRS.

Abiodun Aina, who acted as the executive chairman until Nami was confirmed by senate on Wednesday thanked the staff for cooperating with him.

Aina also pledged his loyalty to the new executive chairman.