By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY—The Edo State Inland Revenue Service (EIRS) has dismissed claims of a significant drop in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) under the administration of Senator Monday Okpebholo. The agency described the rumors, alleging a decline from N8 billion to N2 billion monthly, as baseless and misleading.

In a press statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communication at EIRS, Courage Eboigbe, the agency assured the state government, taxpayers, and residents that the state’s IGR remains healthy and continues to show steady growth.

Eboigbe emphasized the inaccuracy of the claims, stating: “This false claim ordinarily would have been overlooked for obvious reasons as it lacks credibility in its entirety and the source cannot be relied upon. However, due to numerous inquiries and our obligation to provide transparent accounts to stakeholders, particularly taxpayers, we are compelled to address this issue.”

He elaborated on the key responsibilities of the EIRS, including tax assessment, collection, and reporting across various tax categories, such as income tax, motor vehicle administration, stamp duties, and gaming/lotto collections.

The statement highlighted the following: The state’s current average monthly IGR stands at N7.2 billion, contrary to the rumors of a decline to N2 billion.

Collections for October and November 2024 were N5.8 billion and N6.6 billion, respectively, showcasing sustained growth.

Eboigbe assured the public that the EIRS is continuously working to enhance revenue generation while addressing potential challenges to seamless revenue administration.

The EIRS reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining and improving the state’s revenue base. “The management of EIRS will always seize opportunities to grow the State IGR and mitigate any threats to the revenue process,” the statement concluded.

The agency urged the public to disregard unfounded claims and rely on verified information from credible sources.