Acting chairman of the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Emmanuel Terlumun Agema, Monday, stated that the board is targeting to make sixteen billion naira as internally generated revenue for the state government before the end of 2024.
The board also stated that it has sent demand notice to property owners in the state who are owing government a total of over N5.6 billion on ground rent.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen in his office, the acting chairman of BIRS, Mr. Agema, expressed worry over the activities of illegal tax collectors, which he said is causing a lot of challenges in effective internal revenue generation in the state.
He said most of those involved in illegal tax collection in the state are “big shots” but the board is working with security agencies in the state to expose them and bring an end to the regime of illegal tax collection.
He also said 35 persons have been arrested in connection with illegal tax activities and they are currently being prosecuted by the court.
The acting chairman said previously, the board was used as a place for settling politicians, but when he took over, he put a stop to the trend.
“Previously, this office was used as a place to compensate politicians, but when I took over, we moved away from that trend and the situation has also helped in improving revenue generation.
“We have also declared war against illegal tax collectors and have arrested 35 currently being prosecuted in court.
“Not long ago, the illegal tax collectors attacked two trucks in Aliade, Gwer local government area of the state, broke their windscreen and collected over N200, 000 from them.
“However, a team of our taskforce swiftly moved and three of them have been arrested and they are now being investigated.
“We have also brought some reforms in the tax administration in the state and we have also involved the use of ICT in tax collection. This situation is improving the revenue of the state.
“Last year, we had the target of N14 billion and we exceeded it. This year, we have N16 and we are still hoping to make excess too,” he said.
