Ekiti govt hails ranking, tops annual IGR growth

Ekiti State Government has commended the ranking of the state as the top in annual growth rate in Internally Generated Revenue by the apex body for tax authorities in Nigeria, the Joint Tax Board (JTB).

In the report, the state increased its annual IGR in 2023 from N17.03 billion in 2022 to N29.82 billion in 2023, representing a 75 percent growth rate.

According to the report circulated by the board at its 155th meeting at Zuma Rock Resort, Suleja, Niger State, Ekiti also moved from being one of the worst five states to the 16th position in total collections ranking and progressed from the 33rd to the 15th position under the Direct Assessment Parameters.

Reacting to the development, the State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, described the remarkable improvement as the effect of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration’s proactive measures and policies.

He said the policies have created a conducive environment for both local and foreign investment and bolstered the trust of taxpayers, leading to improved voluntary compliance.

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Olatunbosun recalled that data recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that only Ekiti, Lagos, and FCT attracted foreign investment and contributed to the country’s capital importation in the first quarter of 2024. He added that the state was also prominent among the 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that achieved the same feat last year.

Stressing that the administration is irrevocably committed to promoting economic stability and rapidly developing the state, the commissioner solicited the continued support of all stakeholders, assuring that the Oyebanji administration’s policy of inclusive governance would continue to encourage the participation of all stakeholders towards achieving the desired goals.

The commissioner also commended the tenacity of the leadership and officials of the State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) for what he described as the yeoman service they are performing, noting that “it is remarkable that they remain humane but firm in the discharge of their duties, which culminated in significant improvement in the state’s reporting and innovative collections.”

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On his part, the Chairman of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, Olanitan Olatona, said it is hoped that all MDAs will improve their collections and reporting to improve the statistics in the future.

Olatona said that while the state government has not introduced any new taxes, it has effectively deployed technology to block leakages and ease the mode of payment.

“Beyond this, the Governor has also deepened the citizens’ confidence in the government through prudent spending that focuses on infrastructure, human capital development, healthcare delivery, and the creation of economic opportunities for the citizens. This has helped them to pay their taxes as and when due, while also expecting more from the government,” he said.

The IRS boss said the state government intends to capture more citizens in the tax net through sundry empowerment programs and job creation efforts.