By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has charged Staff of Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), to intensify their efforts towards improving the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he said is highly needed to complement developmental agenda of the present administration.
The governor spoke while declaring open a two-day retreat with the theme, “taxation for common good organized by Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Taxation Nigeria (CITN), held at Kimbi’s Hotel in Makurdi.
The governor represented by the State Commissioner of Finance, Mr Mike Oglegba, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the low revenue profile of the state.
In a statement by the media Aide to the acting Executive Chairman BIRS Jacintha Bernard made available to New Nigerian in Makurdi, said urgent steps needs to be taken by management of the agency to improve the low status of the IGR which at present stands at less than 10 per cent to complement government efforts which is highly needed for the development agenda of the state.
Acting Executive Chairman Benue Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Mr Emmanuel Agema in his address expressed determination of the agency to formulate policies and programmes that would leverage on the political will of the present administration to turn around things with the aim of bringing about desired development in the state.
He said such a retreat for Staff of an institution like Benue Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, was long over due considering the pivotal role the organization, describing the retreat as necessary as workable document on ways of improving revenue generation of the state would be provided
On his part Chairman chartered institute of taxation Nigeria, CITN, Makurdi district Sunday Odagba, expressed appreciation to the BIRS boss Agema for the collaboration and promised continued support to the agency, describing the retreat as a right step in the right direction.
