By Peter Duru

The Benue State Internal Revenue Service, BIRS has projected over N11 billion as its target for the 2011 fiscal year as against the N6.87 billion generated in 2010 financial year.

The projected sum is about 50 per cent above the revenue generated by the Board  during the 2010 financial year.

Executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. Andrew Ayabam revealed this while fielding questions from newsmen in Makurdi noted that the projection was in line with the zeal of the Board to galvanize sustainable economic growth in the state’s economy.

Ayabam noted that the Board was not unaware of the dwindling revenue accruable to the state government from the Federation Account adding that the BIRS would continue to sensitize the people on the need for the prompt payment of their taxes, “because that is the means through which they can hold the government accountable”.

He further added that the Board had already recruited over 1000 graduates in order to inject fresh blood in the revenue drive of the state government and also boost the revenue profile of the state.

He said, “For the past 20 years, the board has not recruited any personnel. We have employed Benue graduates so that they will gain knowledge in taxation for the development of the State”, Ayabam added.

He explained that BIRS has shifted away from collection of raw cash to bank transfers to prevent pilfering of the state’s revenue.

The BIRS chairman said in a bid to ensure transparency in the handling of the revenue accruable to the state government through the Board, the Governor Gabriel Suswam led administration has ensured that funds from the Board were tied to specific projects across the state.

He also debunked insinuations that the board acquired its new secretariat at a whooping sum N450 million.

He described the allegation as ‘wicked and ‘unfounded’, disclosing that the actual lease sum was N44 million for a period of 4 years.

Ayabam explained that the secretariat houses 40 ensuited  apartments of 80 rooms including two large halls, an office accommodation for the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, a vehicle inspection office, motor registry as well as a number/ license processing units.

He assured that the Board would continue to adhere strictly to its zero tolerance for corruption adding that the BIRS books were open to public scrutiny.