Animba Chika Samuel

PROJECT DOCUMENT FOR NASARAWA STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND TAX SUMMIT, 2024. “NSIRS & TAX SUMMIT 2024” Achieving Robust Economic Growth and State Development Through Efficient and Effective Revenue Service in Nasarawa State’’. MANAGED BY: I-PATH HUB LTD DOCUMENT: Project document for the organization of Nasarawa State Internal Revenue and Tax Summit, 2024 Reference: NSIRSTAXSUMMIT/02/2024 Organizers: Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service (NSIRS) PROJECT MANAGERS: I-Path Hub Limited, 16 Usuma Close, Off Usuma Street, Off Gana Street, Maitama-Abuja. Tel: (-,- Email:-© Copyright I-Path Hub Ltd 2024 . Empowering people, Creating Wealth! TABLE OF CONTENT 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Overview 1.2 Whom to attend 2 THE NASARAWA STATE TAX AND REVENUE ENVIRONMENT 2.1 Background 2.2 Desired State of the economy and development in Nasarawa State 2.3 What have been achieved so far 3 SUMMIT SCOPE 3.1 Aims 3.2. Objectives 4 SUMMIT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY 4.1 Summit Component 4.1.1 Event Management 4.2 Phase 1 Planning 4.3 Phase 2 Call for paper 4.4 Phase 3 Execution 4.5 High-level implementation of work plan 5 THE SUMMIT --EVENT PLAN 5.1 Theme description 5.2 Potential Speakers 5.3 Discussion topics 6 ABOUT I-PATH HUB LIMITED 6.1 Overview 6.2 Our project partners 6.3 Team experience 7 PROJECT ORGANIZATION 7.1 Project stakeholders 7.2 Human resources requirement 8 KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 8.1 I-Path Hub Ltd Responsibility 8.2 Responsibilities of Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Board 8.3 Responsibilities of the Project Mnagement Team 9 FINANCIALS 9.1 Budget summary 9.2 Payment schedule 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 Overview This working document will serve as a guide to Nasarawa State Inland Revenue Service and the consulting organization I-Path Hub Ltd and other partners. The NASARAWA STATE INLAND REVENUE SERVICE AND TAX SUMMIT, 2024 (NSIRS-TAX SUMMIT2024) is a joint forum involving the experts from various professional entities to provide multidisciplinary comprehensive solutions to government and nongovernmental organizations while brazing out challenges on key issues that bothers tax policies,revenue collections and fiscal responsibility framework in Nasarawa state for sustainable empowerment and development that is people focused. NSIRS-TAX SUMMIT 2024 will also host contemporaneous conference that will disseminate cutting edge knowledge-exchange base and networking while exploring new practical practices, policies, work ethics, rules and regulations made available through existing system/structure of government, local and international corporations & private organizations under various private and public-private partnership schemes that will ensure professionalism at every environment. The main aim of the event is to bring together Tax experts, financial gurus, business & industry professionals, government and non-government officials, investors, consultants, general public and institution to share and discuss sustainable policies, practical practices, rules and regulations to thus re-orientate the average residents of the state, local businesses, multinational businesses,employers, employees and other Nigeria citizens on the objectives of values embedded in taxation and fiscal policies and responsibility in Nasarawa State. Under the patronage of our partners, NSIRS-TAX SUMMIT 2024 will contribute to the definite implementation of scope of values, practices, policies and re-orientation focused to influence Nigerians,employers, employees of government and nongovernment organization, investors, busineses, financial experts and agents on the need to continue to formulate and adhere to friendly policies and programs that would bring the desired growth across the state and enhance a better living condition for Nasarawa state residents. 1.2 WHOM TO ATTEND? A unique opportunity to avail the best global practices from public and private sector organizations and other key professionals’ players with vast and practical success experiences on issues related to taxes, revenue generation, fiscal policies and sustainable development in a well professionalized and ethical environment where order, rules and regulations is the watch-word. The August event will be attended by:  His Excellency, The Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, the State Assembly Members, Senators and House of Representatives Members from Nasarawa State, State Executive Members and Head of State Agencies and Parastatals, Head of Revenue Agencies from across Nigerian States and other African Countries, the judiciary, Local Government Area Councils, State & Federal Government Agencies, Non-Governmental organization, Policy & Regulatory Authorities, Auditors & decision makers in key industries, Academics, Corporate business entities etc.  Banks & Financial Institutions, telecommunication firms, mining companies, Insurance & legal firms, Venture Capital Organizations, entrepreneurs, Local and International Investors,  Institutional representatives, engineers, doctors, lawyers, scientists, professionals and experts from both local and western organizations,  Industry heads, Directors, Managers, Project Managers, Analysts, Senior Executives, Advisors, and consultants on tax and corporate social responsibility. 2.1 BACKGROUND 2.2. Desired State of the economy and development in Nasarawa State. Nasarawa state is endowed with vast natural resources and arable land for agriculture, it is recognized as one of the economic vibrant states in North Central, Nigeria. In His Excellency Governor Abdullahi Sule’s quest to drive the economy and develop the state, the Nasarawa State Board of Internal Revenue Service under the Leadership of Ahmad Muhammad has worked round the clock and reposition-ed for results, thus through its automated approach to revenue collection via the use of ICT and artificial intelligence the states has increased her IGR from 7.1 billion to 20 billion Naira annually. The governor has since inception encouraged a broader-based wealth creation, improving basic infrastructure and services, combating corruption, and avoiding crippling sectarian political disputes. Besides more efficient domestic resource mobilization, he also has secured greater fiscal responsibility; attracted investors into the state. Above all, His Excellency has ensured the prudent management of the state’s Resources, that ensures Long- Term Macro-Economic stability of her Economy, secure greater accountability and transparency in Fiscal operations within Fiscal Policy Framework, and the vivacity of the states agencies to ensure the promotion and enforcement of Nasarawa State’s Economic objectives. The state grew its IGR from N14.53 billion in 2019 to N20.67 billion in 2021 and ranked as the 19th state that generated the most internal revenue in 2021. 2.3 What have been achieved so far? Since the harmonization and Administration of Revenue Bill of Nasarawa State was passed by the state assembly and became a law on December 31, 2020 after His Excellency the Executive Governor Abdullahi Sule accented to it. It provided for the harmonization and collection of all revenues accruing to the state and local government areas as well as the establishment of relevant administrative structures. This feat was designed to ensure transparency in the system and boost the revenue base of the state and also strengthen the operations of various government agencies and make them more responsive to the public. Before the harmonization of the administrative Revenue bill officially came to be, the revenue atmosphere of the state was characterized by poor culture, loopholes, poor linkage among policy, planning and budgeting; and lack of access to fiscal information and absence of transparency in the management of public finance. It also, entailed the absence of clear lines of fiscal accountability between agencies, people and the government, the executive and the legislature and other governmental agencies, since the bill began to work, it has made obligatory for government agencies at all level to work within the stipulated regulations to ensure effective revenue collection and taxation. A fully functional and automated process through the use of ICT, Artificial Intelligence was deployed to block leakages and also aggregate all the revenue streams of the state was adopted. A central billing system in both the state, zonal, and area tax offices to ensure that all payment and receipts were aggregated was also deployed. The State monitors all revenues generated including all payment online in real-time and taxpayers can make payments in the comfort of their homes, using their phones and bank applications. A robust approach to continually work with the various state agencies have also been adopted by the board to ensure they comply with every section of the harmonization bill effectively. SUMMIT SCOPE 3.1 Aims • To identify legal, economic, social and political factors that contribute to the effective and efficient revenue and tax policies in Nasarawa State. • To identify and leverage on the core impact of employers and employees professionalism, ethics, values and morals in the work place for a robust economic and infrastructural development for revenue generating agencies. • To formulate a practical plan of action to protect and conserve all constitutional obligation and fiscal responsibility framework that will help the state continue to improve in her quest to increase her internally generated revenue. 3.2 Objectives • To facilitate dialogue between ranges of stakeholders, including general public, companies, regulators, security agenciess and other watch dogs, government and non-government organizations and international communities. • To develop in each workshop specific recommendations for endorsement at the plenary sessions. • To initiate focused approaches to Federal, State and Local Government on the most desired outcome on their institutions’ designated revenue and fiscal framework and other delivery mandates. • To set up a more improved formal arrangements for reporting back to the public and states on revenue and tax matters including fiscal expenditures. • To facilitate on-going networking and adequate collaborations through a robust searchlight on all government establishment to ensure proper utilization of all revenue/resources that will enhance development and economic growth across the state and also ensure and attract both Foreign Direct investment and drive local investment to the state. SUMMIT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY 4.1 Summit Components 4.1.1 Event Management The summit is designed to be a State event and will be managed by IPath Hub Ltd and other partners. We will work tirelessly to make it hitch free, smooth and a most pleasant experience. The event management will include: content and exhibition management, accommodation, logistic, feeding and feedback management. 4.1.2 Set Up a Page on the NSIRS Website Some members of the NSIRS tech team will be designated to work with the I-path Hub Ltd team. All content that will be feed on the web site shall be generated by the project team lead by I-path Hub Ltd. We hope to proffer very pragmatic solutions like online registration, event information, accommodation, guide, advertisement, feedback, news and all information which may be of benefit to the summit. 4.2 Phase 1: Planning The planning of this event will ensure its success. By starting early, we hope to plan through the first five (5) months while executing components of the project based on priorities. • 4.3 Phase 2: Call for papers • A call for papers must precede the event to allow participants and stakeholders to submit entries that will be reviewed. The papers will be presented during the summit and may be published in due course. • 4.4 Phase 3: Execution • The execution phase of the event will span over the next four months, depending on the priorities that are identified by the project team. • 4.5 High-Level Implementation Work-Plan • A time line is shown on the next page. • ONE TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE SUMMIT • (1) Confirm attendance and arrangements with: • Venue, accommodation, etc • Food Managers • Website managers/Admis • All program participants • Media and Advertisements • Printer (2) Review main planning tasks/questions: • · Clarify goals/mission if necessary • · Identify/target participants • · Recruit any additional partners or vendors where necessary • · Begin to develop preliminary program/agenda outline • · Begin site selection • · Begin curriculum development/establish service delivery outcomes • · Plan pre-summit training with NSIRS Summit team • · Start building evaluation and follow-up activities into plan (3) Conversion of plan into action with individual assignments in main project areas, completion dates, overall planning schedule, including on-going team meetings, training sessions, etc. ONE MONTH TO SUMMIT (1) Finalize sponsors/partners/participant assignments; meet if possible/necessary. This is a good time to make sure you've identified roles for the team members, such as handling registration, introductions, and the overall management of the entire project content and the grand finale etc. BEFORE THE SUMMIT (1) Finalize and publish agenda; distribute to participants if possible/practical. Mailing agendas in advance is a great way to remind people not only of their role, but the overall event. (2) Order/assemble materials · Handouts, Overheads, Signs, Equipment, Venues, etc. (3) Make/check any necessary security arrangements Summit Checklist By this time, it's too late to do much except execute and adapt, but if possible, designate key staff to take primary responsibility in three areas: (4) Registration/Front Desk Officers. The registration responsibilities will obviously slack off as the day goes on, so the main emphasis can shift to site-related issues and logistics. Having a runner or two available to communicate between partners and perform logistics can be helpful. • DAYS OF THE SUMMIT • (1) Execution of programs according to plan. It is expected that the plans will have alternatives in case of need. Feedback will begin straight away with reporting of lapses and so on. • DAY AFTER THE SUMMIT • (1) Plan a post-summit press release to tell the story of the summit. Get photos and videos ordered immediately and get the release out ASAP. • (2) Include planning of follow-up activities; this is the time to build on the ideas and energy that came out of the summit. Brainstorm possibilities for continuing a relationship with the participants. WEEK AFTER THE SUMMIT (1) Make sure thank you's have been sent to all participants. This is a great opportunity to engage them in on-going activity, while enthusiasm for the summit is still high. (2) Get the evaluation and summary of the outcome of the summit done as quickly as possible, . (3) Get the post-summit programming into place. This might consist of anything from asking participants/stakeholders to write articles about the summit for local/international newspapers, TV shows, service-learning projects, to implementation of action plans, or any one of dozens of options. THE DELIVERY – EVENT PLAN 5.1 Theme Description: – The theme gives an overview of the summits intentions. “Achieving Robust Economic Growth and State Development Through Efficient and Effective Revenue Service in Nasarawa State’’. • The questions to be raised include: - What revenue and tax structures/ polices and programs will spur development in Nasarawa State? - What have we done to improve the status-quo? - What can Nasarawa state borrow from successful states and other foreign states across the world? - What options are available to us? - Which actions do we take? 5.2 Potential Speakers The resource persons will be chosen from a broad spectrum of experts and stakeholders. They shall include: 1. Ex-Presidents 2. Academia 3. Tax and Revenue Experts 4. Financial Experts 5. Legislation Experts 6. Captains of Industries 7. Investment Experts 8. International Community 9. Finance Ministers from other Countries. 10. Ambasadors/ Heads of High Commisioners. A few names have been penciled subject to confirmation. They include: 1. His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasabjo_ Former President Federal Repulic of Nigeria 2. Zacch Adedeji, PhD: Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service 3. Babatunde Fashola- Former Governor of Lagos State and Former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . 4. Adaora Remy Umeoji: Deputy Managing Director, Zrnith Bank, Plc 5. Professor Pat Utomi-Founder and CEO Centre for Values in Leadership 6. Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi -Former Central bank Governors 7. Ifueko Omogui Okauru– Former Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS). 8. Bayo Agbi– CEO and Founder PillarCraft Ltd. 9. Peterside – The Chairman,IBTC Bank. 10. Jamie Christoff- Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria 11. Jim Ovia Founder/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc 12. MR. BIZIMANA RUGANINTWALI PASCAL: Commisioner General, Rwanda Revenue Authority 13. Prof Edward Christian Kieswetter: Commissioner, South Africa Revenue Service 5.3 DISCUSSION TOPICS The summit shall feature the following topics: 1. Optimizing Tax Revenue Collection: Strategies and Innovation 2. Boosting Economic Growth through Effective Revenue Management 3. Data Analystics and Business Intelligence in Revenue Management 4. Strenghtening Governance and Transperency in Revenue Administration 5. Public-Private Partnership for Revenue Generation and Management 6. Innovation in Tax Administration and Policy Development 7. Enhanced Role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Revenue Intelligence 8. Modernizing Revnue Systems through Digital Transformation 9. Role of Banks, Investors, Busineses and citizens in state economic Development 10.Clarifications and challenges of existing rules on administrative cooperation 11. The Challenges/Effects of over blotted Government and Indolent employee on government revenue and expenditure 12.Legal challenges and Tax issues on OTT: Challenges and Opportunites 13.Digital incentives: the evolution of digitalization in taxation THE PROJECT MANAGERS. 6.1 Overview I-Path Hub Limited is a multi-disciplinary firm providing management consultancy services. We work with our clients to develop sustainable solutions for managing all aspects of their operations. We are committed to providing a service that is generic, consistent and of the utmost professional quality. Our outlook is to help organizations’ both public and private build her Human Capacity and install Functional Management systems in synergy with the organization’s corporate vision and set goals, aimed at rapidly achieving results within the shortest possible time. As part of our consultancy services in Human Capacity Management Function, we offer consistent quarterly and annual systems monitoring, audit and review outputs, carried out with a cutting-edge and precise strategy in the core competence areas of Project Management and Human Resource Functions. 6.2Team Experience I-Path Hub Limited recognizes the importance of customer satisfaction to the future of our business, and as such, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality service;with a core of highly capable and competent team with vast local and international experiences, and a global network of seasoned experts in the areas of event management, we guarantee our clients the delivery of cost effective, world class and good value-for-money and services. We are committed to the cause of organizing this summit with the highest possible standard based on our past experiences and vision for the nearest future. From the inception of this idea, I-Path Hub Limited has been working night and day to ensure that this becomes a reality. 7. PROJECT ORGANIZATION • Many of the challenges we face as a nation – infrastructural development, environmental, economic, security and social challenges and the overall service delivery pattern— are extremely complicated and cannot be solved by any one organization or approach. Together we can seek solutions that will result in greater gain. Inter-organizational collaboration can lead to improved organizational efficiency, help buffer organizations from external uncertainties, and allow us to leverage resources. The theme of this Summit is “Achieving robust economic growth and state development through an efficient and effective Revenue Service’’. • We wish to encourage and forge new collaborations, across sectors . This Summit will be built on this theme through several thought-provoking plenary speakers, over 10 breakout sessions, and several forums. • We will focus on ways to achieve higher levels of practical performance and robust fiscal commitment by government as professionals are encouraged by Summit organizers to engage audiences in the Summit, create more of a community among attendees during the event and throughout the year and years ahead, and thus to also help prepare the next generation. • Over the course of this conference, please keep in mind the four elements that distinguish collaboration from cooperation are: - the interdependence of stakeholders, - the ability to address differences constructively, - joint ownership of decisions, - collective responsibility for the future of the partnership. 7.1 PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS The Summit’s stakeholders include:              Federal Institutions The State Assembly Local and International Businesses The State Judiciary All State Government Establishments and Agencies including Local Government Areas All Residents of Nasarawa State and other Nigerians International Community Security Organizations Potential local and Foreign Investors Companies Banks Mining and Agricultural Organizations etc 7.2 Human Resource Requirements (Project Team) I-path Hub Ltd shall lead the project team and about three to five members of the Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service employee shall be required to be drafted into the project team to drive this summit and ensure in making it a huge success. KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY 8.1 Our Responsibilities I-Path Hub Limited is poised to offer the best service to the State. As a standard, we will offer services to clients that formally engage us, with the highest possible regard. Our conditions and responsibilities are listed below: 1. The Consultant shall perform the Services as agreed. 2. In providing the Services the Consultant shall exercise the degree of skill, care and diligence normally expected of a competent professional. 3. Where services are carried out on a time charge basis, the Consultant may purchase such incidental goods and/or Services as are reasonably required for the Consultant to perform the Services. The cost of obtaining such incidental goods and/or Services shall be payable by the Client. The Consultant shall maintain records which clearly identify time and expenses incurred. 4. The Consultant shall only be liable to the Client, in contract or in tort, for direct loss or damage suffered by the Client as the result of a breach by the Consultant of his or her obligations under this Agreement. 5. Neither the Client nor the Consultant shall be considered liable for any loss or damage resulting from any occurrence unless a claim is formally made on him or her within six years from completion of the Services. 6. The Consultant shall retain intellectual property/copyright in all drawings, specifications and other documents prepared by the Consultant. The Client shall be entitled to use them or copy them only for the Works and the purpose for which they are intended. The ownership of data and factual information collected by the Consultant and paid for by the Client shall, after payment by the Client, lie with the Client. The Client may reproduce drawings, specifications and other documents in which the Consultant has copyright, as reasonably required in connection with the project but not otherwise. 8.2 Responsibilities of ”Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service Board” 1. The Client shall provide to the Consultant, free of cost, as soon as practicable following any request for information, all information in his or her power to obtain which may pertain to the Services. The Consultant shall not, without the Client’s prior consent, use information provided by the Client for purposes unrelated to the Services. In providing the information to the Consultant the Client shall ensure compliance with the Copyright Act and its amendments and shall identify any proprietary rights that any other person may have in any information provided. 2. The Client may order variations to the Services in writing or may request the Consultant to submit proposals for variation to the Services. 3. The Client shall pay the Consultant for the Services the amount of fees and expenses at the times and in the manner set out in subsequent arrangement. Where this Agreement has been entered by an Agent (or person purporting to act as Agent) on behalf of the Client, the Agent and Client shall be jointly and severally liable for payment of all accounts due to the Consultant under this Agreement. 4. All amounts payable by the Client shall be paid within a reasonable time for efficient execution of the summit project. 5. The Client may suspend all or part of the Services or terminate the Agreement by notice to the Consultant who shall immediately make arrangements to stop the Services and minimize further expenditure. Suspension or termination shall not prejudice or affect the accrued rights or claims and liabilities of the Parties. 6.The Client shall have no right to use any of these documents where any or all of the fees and expenses remain payable to the Consultant. 7. Disputes shall first be referred to conciliation for settlement. 8.3 Responsibilities of the Project Team • The project team shall be responsible for the planning, management and success of this event. They shall develop the strategies involved, draw a time line, manage resources and be accountable for the entire summit. 8.4 Responsibilities of Project Partners • Project partners shall participate in the project management as prescribed by the project managers. They will make recommendations and suggestions that will lead to the success of the event. 8.5 Responsibilities of Project Sponsors The project sponsors/Partners will be responsible for:  Providing guidance for key business strategies  Understanding the project's complexity  Empowering the project team with funds and institutional backings  Approving plans, schedules and budgets  Ensuring sustained buy-in  Clearing roadblocks  Ensuring timely availability of resources  Reviewing the project's progress  Ensuring that project benefits are realized FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS S/N 9.1 Budget Summary LINE ITEMS AMOUNT (N) 1 Event Venue (Nasarawa State) N3,000,000 2 Website Administration N3,000,000 3 Accommodation/Logistics for Guests N35,000,000 4 Feeding (tea breaks, lunches) N18,000,000 5 Media (advertisement, banners, TV ads, awareness management) N20,000,000 6 Logistics (travel and accommodation to meet partners and Speake N7,000,000 7 Production of Summit Brochures, Writing Pads, Pen and Souvenir N15,000,000 8 Green Ball Event N25,000,000 9 Stage/stage Decoration N10,000,000 10 Lights and Sounds N35,000,000 11 Honorariums N70,000,000 12 Professional fees to consultants N30,000,000 13 Security/Protocals N25,000,000 14 Miscellaneous N5,000,000 15 GRAND TOTAL 301,000,000 9.2 Payment Schedule • The payment will be in stages with priorities listed. In the list of priorities, funds must be made available for: 1. Administrative work, Website administration, deployment and management 2. Media 3. Event Venue bookings 4. Logistics 5. Honorariums 6. Green Ball events 7. Feeding and accommodation 8. Professional fees 10 Corollary • We recommend that team work begins immediately after agreements have been signed. It will be wise to commence with the administrative work to enable the manager’s outline the project contents and thus break the entire project into components and then share responsibilities. • As project management consultants, we pledge to provide the highest quality of service available to make sure this remarkable plan become an outstanding reality.