Revenue Collections: Buhari Queries FIRS Boss

President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a query to the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Tunde Fowler, seeking explanation why revenue collections between 2015 and 2017 were “significantly worse” than some years under President Goodluck Jonathan.

The President, in a letter by his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, also seeks to know why there are significant variances between the budgeted collections and actual collections for the period 2015 to 2018.

There are indications that Mr Fowler, whose tenor expires on Saturday, may not get another term in office.

In the leaked letter, dated August 8, 2019, the FIRS chairman was given August 19 to respond to the query.

The query read thus: “Your attached letter (FIRS/EC/CWP/0249/19/027 dated 26 July 2019) on the above subject matter, refers.

“We observed significant variances between the budgeted collections and actual collections for the period 2015 to 2018. Accordingly, you are kindly invited to submit a comprehensive variance analysis explaining the reasons for the variances between budgeted and actual collections for each main tax item for each of the years 2015 to 2018.

“Furthermore, we observed that the actual collections for the period 2015 to 2017 were significantly worse than what was collected between 2012 and 2014. Accordingly, you are kindly to explain the reasons for the poor collections.

“You are kindly invited to respond by 19 August 2019.

“Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”