By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Barr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun, has said that the state Internally Generated Revenue has hit N52.6 billion in the last six months.
He disclosed this while giving the agency half of the year’s performance review in Benin City.
Mr. Bankole-Balogun who gave himself and his team a top up for the huge financial success, said the feat surpasses the previous achievements of the agency.
While stating that the feat was achieved within his six months in office, described the development as historic.
His words “the results speak for themselves. When we compare HI of 2024 and HI of 2025, we have the figures as thus: January – 2025: NIO.4 billion, February – 2025: N9.6 billion, March – 2025: N6.9 billion,
April – 2025: N6.9 billion, May – 2025: N7.8 billion and June – 2025: Over N11 billion, which gives us a half year-to-date.
“(HYTD) 2025 Total of N52.6 billion as against a half-year budgeted figure of N58.8 billion, this represents an 89.5 percent performance year-to-date.
“In contrast, HI 2024 recorded a total of N36.1 billion—meaning we achieved a 45 percent increase in revenue performance year-on-year. –
“This achievement is historic as it reflects the synergy between the staff, management, and most importantly, the unwavering support of the Executive Governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa. We are deeply grateful for their vision and commitment”,
The EIRS boss also commended the tax payers for their cooperation which has resulted in the progress made in the quarter under review.
“Let me also appreciate the great taxpayers of Edo State—individuals, Corporations, and government MDAs—whose level of compliance has been instrumental to our success.
“Your taxes are the lifeblood of the massive infrastructural and developmental projects currently being executed across our dear State”, Bankole-Balogun said.
He added that for smooth running of its activities in the state, the service has strengthened its inter-governmental relationship with some federal and state MDAs for effective service delivery.
He said some of them include FRSC, EDSTA, EdoGIS and EDPPA, among others adding that the judiciary as an arm of government has also not been left out.
He said the EIRS, during the period, has collaborated with the judiciary in the recovery of tax liabilities owed the state government.
The EIRS chairman, further said that under his watch, the agency has successfully resolved issues relating to Burrow Pit Owners, Private Schools Proprietors, various transport Unions like RTEAN, NURTW, and PDOW towards addressing tax related and compliance issues as well as reduction of touting activities on our roads and motor parks.
On onboarding, he said the Board also carried out an Onboarding exercise for Data Collection Agents (DCAs) just as he said that they have also partnered with some institutions of Government and non-government bodies alike such as the University of Benin in the training of Staff of the Service on Taxation.
The EIRS boss, who also spoke on the new federal government tax reforms and its implications, assured that in line with the reforms, the agency would intensify its public enlightenment efforts to ensure taxpayers are fully aware of the changes and how they would affect them.
He appealed to the taxpayers never to see paying of taxes as burden but part of their contributions towards the development of the state.
