At the 13th edition of the Journalist Hangout, themed “From Parley to Party,” the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) hosted a session where Hon. Solomon Igrakpata, Executive Chairman of the Delta State Internal Revenue Service (DSIRS), addressed the media.
Represented by Hon. Dr. Collins Anekwe Iwebunor, Igrakpata outlined the achievements of the DSIRS under the leadership of the current board, inaugurated on July 21, 2023. The board’s primary mission is to increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to support the policies, programs, and projects of Governor Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda.
Dr. Anekwe provided insights into the legal framework governing the DSIRS, citing the Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2011, and the Delta State Internal Revenue Service Law, 2020. He emphasized that the agency is responsible for effective and optimal tax collection, including penalties, as mandated by law. The DSIRS’s core duties involve administering, imposing, and collecting various taxes, levies, and other forms of revenue.
During his presentation, Dr. Anekwe reviewed the agency’s performance since the new board assumed office. He reported that from January to June 2023, DSIRS collected N59.9 billion. Following the board’s takeover in July, the agency raised N54.2 billion between July and December, bringing the total IGR for 2023 to N114.1 billion. This exceeded the year’s budget target by 20.09% and was N30 billion higher than the 2022 collection, marking a 135.75% increase.
For the 2024 fiscal year, DSIRS has already generated N111.7 billion from January to September, compared to N83.3 billion collected in the same period in 2023. This reflects a 134.07% performance, achieving 101.29% of the annual target. Dr. Anekwe credited this growth to strategic initiatives designed to boost revenue collection and compliance.
Key Strategies Driving DSIRS Success
- Visible Use of Taxpayer Money: Projects initiated by Governor Oborevwori across the state have promoted voluntary tax compliance, as taxpayers see the benefits of their contributions.
- Whistleblower Policy: The engagement of individuals and tax consultants to report tax evasion, with compensation for information, has helped recover significant revenue.
- Automation in the Informal Sector: Leveraging ICT has streamlined processes, including data gathering, assessment, tax collection, and dispute resolution, leading to increased efficiency.
- Intelligence and Compliance Unit: This unit collects data, identifies and profiles potential taxpayers, and integrates them into the tax net to ensure accurate assessments and compliance.
- Engagement of External Solicitors: Legal experts have been enlisted to address tax litigation and recover outstanding liabilities, ensuring swift prosecution of defaulters.
Additional measures include strengthening enforcement units, implementing a consolidated billing system to prevent revenue leakages, engaging tax consultants for untapped revenue sources, regular audits, and public sensitization on tax obligations. Dr. Anekwe emphasized that these efforts are crucial to maintaining steady growth in the state’s IGR.
Dr. Anekwe also acknowledged Governor Oborevwori’s support through infrastructure development and peace-building, which have created a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. He called on stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, security forces, banks, professional bodies, unions, traditional institutions, and the media, to collaborate with DSIRS to sustain revenue growth for Delta State’s development.
In response, Comrade Churchill Oyovwe, Chairman of the Delta State NUJ, praised Hon. Solomon Igrakpata and DSIRS for their commitment to transparency and accountability. He highlighted the role of journalists as facilitators of public information, stating that the Journalist Hangout provides a platform for agencies like DSIRS to directly communicate their progress to the public. “Our job as journalists is to hold the government accountable, but this event allows you to show the public how their taxes are being used for their benefit,” he said.
The event reinforced the partnership between Delta State’s media and revenue service, ensuring continued transparency and accountability in the state’s tax system.
