….Plans tax reform awareness campaign
The Edo State Government has announced the generation of N52.6 billion in Internally Generated Revenue between January and June 2025.
The disclosure was made on Thursday, highlighting a 46% increase compared to the N36.1 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.
Executive Chairman of the Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Otunba Oladele Bankole-Balogun, revealed the figures during a press briefing in Benin City, noting that the amount represents an 89.5% year-to-date performance.
He attributed the improvement to various initiatives implemented since assuming office in December of the previous year, including capacity building for staff, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure upgrades, enhanced staff welfare, and stricter enforcement of tax laws.
Bankole Balogun emphasised the agency’s commitment to expanding the tax net while urging residents to fulfill their civic duty by paying taxes. He also mentioned the successful recovery of outstanding tax liabilities through collaboration with the judiciary.
Regarding the recently enacted Nigeria Tax Reform Law signed by President Bola Tinubu, the EIRS boss stated that the agency would ramp up public awareness campaigns to educate taxpayers on the new provisions and their implications.
He said: “Seeing what the Governor is doing with the taxes, I am sure we will increase tax collection from the people.
“Our commitment is sacrosanct. To build a sustainable Edo State. The road ahead may be tough. We invite all stakeholders to join us in building tax compliance and see taxation not as a burden but as a patriotic. Truly, a new Edo has risen under Okpebholo.
“We are committed to delivering value-added services, improving transparency, and strengthening the tax system to build a sustainable Edo State-one where tax revenue powers development, and development rewards taxpayers.
“Our job is dynamic. It is not possible to bring everybody within the tax net. It is a progressive thing. We pulled in 1900 people into the tax net within the period. We are going to look to the organisation to give us information so that we can bring them in.
“We are hoping we will continue to improve our tax-based. We believed we would be focusing more on the big income earners who will now contribute according to the new law. The focus is not on the low-income earner. With a bit more creativity and technology, we will continue to improve our tax collection.”
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