FIRS Unions Move to Realise N8.8tn Revenue Target

• FIRS Unions Move to Realise N8.8tn Revenue Target

The two labour unions at the Federal Inland Revenue Service have reassured Nigerians, the Federal Government and the management that they will ensure that the agency’s N8.8tn revenue target for 2019 is realised.

The Chairmen, FIRS chapters of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Okere Samson, and Idris Hassan of the Nigerian Civil Service Union, gave the assurance during the week after their meetings with the Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler.

According to the public notice circulated by the unions to the members of staff, the FIRS chairman had raised the level of employees’ welfare and unfolded pro-staff decisions that would enable them realise their individual and organisational goals.

In the notice, the unions said Fowler raised subsistence allowance from 20 per cent to 30 per cent, (it was 10 per cent before the chairman’s appointment in 2015), pegged payment of key performance indicators at 70 per cent instead of 80 per cent for non-oil tax receipts, and directed expedited payment of first 28 days movement allowances to members of staff on transfer.

It added that he also approved meal, children education, and maintenance grants – once an employee meets the target, and attained some consensus on the vacancies for 2018 and 2019 promotion exercises.

It stated, “Apart from the increase of subsistence allowance, staff members had also been paid wardrobe allowances, while quarterly bonus on met or exceeded target in revenue collection, 13th month salary and payment of equity contribution to benefiting workers of the FIRS mass housing scheme had also been approved.”

In the notice titled “Update on staff matters,” signed by Samson, and another co- signed by Hassan and Jimoh Idowu, the two unions rededicated their commitment and that of their members to the realisation of the N8.8tn target of the agency.

It further revealed welfare issues discussed at a meeting between the two unions and the management held on 6thJune and another held on 10th June 2019 as well as the resolutions reached.

It stated, “This is to inform FIRS staff members that following continuous engagement between Nigeria Civil Service Union, and the management of the FIRS, the management has been able to address most of the issues raised like increment of subsistence allowance to 30 per cent, reduction of key performance indicators benchmark from 80 per cent to 70 per cent of non-oil, and payment of terminal benefits to wokrers among others.”

In another document titled, ‘Matters arising from the NCSU meeting with management,’ Hassan said, “Based on the above, the union hereby implores all staff members to be of good behaviour, remain dedicated and hard-working in order to achieve the set revenue target for the service.

“We, the executive of NCSU’s assure our members and entire staff of the service of our support and also continue to engage the management for better welfare and reward for hard work. We equally assure the management of our continuous support as partners in progress towards the actualisation of the goals and objectives of the service.”