Executive chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Mr. Andrew Ayabam, has said despite the COVID-19 pandemic that adversely affected the country, Benue has recorded reasonable improvement in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Ayabam stated this when he received an award presented to him by the Nigeria REVENUE magazine, which recognised Benue as the fastest revenue growing state in the country.
He stated that the economic effect of the pandemic started in April when companies began shutting down in the state and revenue started dropping.
He noted that despite the situation, the board made efforts to increase and explore more areas of revenue generation, resulting in improvement in the revenue.
Mr. Ayabam, said the award given to the board by the magazine was based on achievement recorded in 2019 as identified by the magazine and National Bureau of statistics.
He devoted the award to Governor Samuel Ortom, stating Ahmid Lawal that it was indicative of the clear method the governor was dealing with the funds and economic system of the state.
“The impression of the pandemic began being felt from April when companies began shutting down right here and we began recording a drop in our income although it was a world experience.
“But as the year goes on, at least, we were able to record up to sixty percent of what we got last year.
“Though we did not do too badly, we noticed the negative impact. We are currently on recovery mode and it is showing in our numbers. At least, August was better than July,” he stated.
Earlier, the Chairman Afold Conferences, publisher of the Revenue Magazine, which is the official magazine of the Nigerian states IGR summit, Mr. Fredrick Apeji, said the award was based on statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which showed that the state had risen to the fourth fastest revenue growing state.
Despite COVID-19, Benue recording improved IGR – Ayabam
