The management of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), under the leadership of Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe, has announced a substantial increase in revenue collection. According to Enehe, the Service has elevated the collection of revenue from the N250 million recorded about five years ago to over N18 billion in 2022.
In a similar vein, the revenue body takes pride in engaging 450 Kogites from various professions, with a notable accomplishment being the signing of the 2017 revenue harmonization law.
The Director of Administration at KGIRS, Abubakar Mohammed Bello, shared this information during the Round Table Discussion organized by the Nigerian Post Newspaper at the NUJ Press Centre in Lokoja, Kogi State. The event focused on the theme “KGIRS: Revenue Generation, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”
Bello, represented by the Head of Corporate Communication of the Service, Mal. Mohammed M. Idris, highlighted the significance of manpower development and staff welfare enhancement in the success of revenue generation. He emphasized that the management has prioritized these factors, starting the year with comprehensive staff training on taxation principles, attitudinal change, and managerial skills.
“To boost the morale of the workforce, all legitimate accumulated outstanding commitments due to staff and related arrears were cleared. To further enhance welfare, staff salary scales/grades levels and steps, coupled with periodic increments, were developed and implemented among other measures.”
The Director of Administration expressed gratitude to the state’s Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for contributing to the success of the Service. He acknowledged the governor’s support, including the seamless implementation of full autonomy, process automation, employment of over 450 Kogites from various professions, and the signing of the 2017 revenue harmonization law.
To ensure the Service remains well-equipped, Bello mentioned that the management undertook initiatives such as replacing worn and damaged furniture, providing additional equipment, and servicing official vehicles.
Earlier in the event, Mr. Mike Abu, the Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, stated that the discussion aimed to gather various views and opinions of stakeholders, serving as an agenda-setting exercise for the incoming government of Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, set to be sworn in on January 27, 2024.
Additional speakers at the occasion included Dr. Femi Ajesafe, the President of the Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (KOCCIMA), Hamza Aliyu of the Initiative for Grassroot Advancement in Nigeria (INGRA), the traditional ruler of Apata – His Royal Highness, Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr. Teddy Adegbola, among others.
They collectively emphasized the need for the incoming government to prioritize good governance in the state. The event also featured the presentation of awards to individuals who made significant contributions to the development of Kogi State and the larger society.
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