With a cumulative internally generated revenue ( lGR) figure of #111. 73 bn for the period January 2024 to September 2024, the State Board of lnternal Revenue has achieved about 101.29% of the annual revenue target of #103.304 billion, in the year 2024 budget estimates.
The success factors are propelled, among others, by visible landmark projects being executed by the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration, across the three Senatorial districts of the state , thus serving as encouragement to tax payers who can see evidence of their taxes being judiciously utilized for their overall benefits.
Others include introduction of the whistle blowers policy which gives latitude to tax consultants and interested individuals/ public, to forward reliable information about companies and individuals involved in tax evasion and secrecy, as well as the automation of the informal sector , setting up of the intelligence and compliance unit to cover the three Senatorial districts , enumeration of identified potential taxpayers , and bringing the potential tax payers into the tax net, among others.
Giving a scorecard of the Board’s activities since it’s inauguration in July 2023, the Executive Chairman , Chief Solomon lghrakpata, speaking at the NUJ Delta organized journalists hangout, tagged “from parley to party”, the 13th in the series, at the press centre, Asaba, noted that external solicitors with good knowledge of Tax laws and practices to handle tax litigations and assist the Board in recovering all outstanding tax liabilities , have been engaged.
Ighrakpata , represented by the Executive Director, lCT and Corporate development, Dr Collins lwebunor, disclosed that full implementation of the Consolidated MDAs Billing System ( CMBS), to eliminate touts and block revenue leakages from the MDAs, is already yielding results.
The lnternal Revenue helmsman also added that effective utilization of the Tax Audit Review Committee ( TARC) meeting for reconciliation or speedy resolution of tax audit issues, have in no small measure, helped to bolster the revenue regime of the Board.
He also stated that staff across the field offices have been fully motivated to do their jobs while periodic visits were made by the monitoring team to checkmate truancy and other negative tendencies that would inhibit progress.
While also commending Governor Oborevwori for his peace building initiatives, which have enabled businesses to operate in a secure and peaceful environment, the Board of internal revenue Chairman, solicited the cooperation of stakeholders to partner with the Board as they continue to work assiduously, to shore up the internally generated revenue, for the development of the state.
Earlier, the State council Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ), Comrade Churchill Oyowe, commended Chief lghrakpata and his team for their transparency and accountability in making their revenue figures public, thus instilling confidence in the tax payers.
Courtesy: Andy Emephia
