From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State government is set to generate over 16 billion as internally generated revenue for 2024.
The acting Chairman, State Internal Revenue Services, BIRS Emmanuel Agena who disclosed this on Monday while speaking with journalists, intimated that in 2023, the board surpassed its 14 billion target.
Mr. Agena who decried the activities of illegal tax collectors in the State, said most of them are backed by very prominent individuals, averring that under his watch, the era of patronizing politicians is over.
He also, said that 35 persons have already been arrested for engaging in illegal tax collection and are arraigned in court.
The BIRS boss frowned at the recent incident where a truck conveying palliatives from Adamawa to Anambra State was hijacked by some youths in Aliade, Gwer East.
Said he, “the truck was intercepted and the driver beaten while the windscreen of the vehicle broken and over 200,000 naira stolen. 3 persons have been arrested and are in police custody. They will be moved to DSS for thorough investigation
“Our ain to flush out or reduce illegal tax collectors to the barest minimum. This has been a big challenge. We have constituedd a team headed by director of Tax collection. Prominent people in the State are involved in encouraging these boys.
“We also plan to recover over 5.6 billion from ground rent. We are liaising with the Ministry of Land towards this direction.
“We also, engaged the service of Softnet, an ICT company to aid us collect revenue. They are paid commission. The company have engaged over 250 staff who have been trained and given POS to collect revenue.
“Taxation is about confidence. Our work now is easy because tax payers are willing to pay because the people are seeing what government is doing”.
