Delta Internally Generated Revenue Soars To N36B

WARRI, May 18, (THEWILL) – The Delta State Government’s internally generated revenue has soared to a record N36 billion naira per annum more than double its previous earnings of N15 billion per annum grossed in the last two years, according to its Board of Internal Revenue.

However, despite the increase in its revenue profile most residents of the oil rich state continue to frown over the poor deployment of state funds by the current administration.

Making the internally generated revenue portfolio of the state public today, Chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas during the inauguration of the ‘Mobile Access Lines’ of the revenue board in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area stated that the board has been working in line with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan drive to improve the state’s revenue outside oil and gas revenue.

He further warned tax evaders that there would be ‘no sacred cows’ in the board’s bid to generate more revenue. The Chairman added that tax reforms that would identify and jail evaders have been implemented.

“There is no more time to be given to defaulting tax payers. It is unlawful to evade tax. We have done everything for two years in trying to create awareness for tax payment. There is no more time to be given to defaulting tax payers. Very soon, you will hear companies being sealed up and people going to jail for not paying their taxes,” he told his audience.

The chairman also stated that the board has motivated its staff by paying employees 30 per cent higher than what state government employees are paid in addition to another reward scheme for staff tax collection performance.

He warned agency staffers that the era of business-as-usual was over.