N34.8bn IGR: A’Ibom govt attributes achievement to peace

Ini Billie, Uyo

Chairman of Akwa Ibom Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Mr Okon Okon has attributed the N34.8 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2022 to the peace experienced in the state.

Speaking during the 2nd inter-ministerial briefing organised by the Ministry of Information and Strategy on Friday in Uyo, Okon revealed that the State’s IGR has increased from N15.7billion to N34.8billion within the 8 year-tenure of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The chairman explained that the leap in IGR was influenced by peace, prudent fiscal management and the introduction of technology in the operations of AKIRS.

He gave the breakdown of the IGR in eight years as N16billion IGR in 2017, N24.2billion in 2018, N30.6 billion in 2020, N31.4billion in 2021 and N34.8billion in 2022, adding that the COVID-19 period affected the IGR in 2019.

“In 2019, during the COVID-19 period, Governor Udom Emmanuel out of his magnanimity granted tax exemptions and waivers in sectors of the economy so it would alleviate the pain and difficulties people experienced at that time. That is taxation with human flesh, the Udom Emmanuel example.

“He created an enabling environment. Without peace, there is no development; without peace, you cannot grow the economy; without peace, you cannot collect taxes. So, the peace that Governor Udom Emmanuel brought about in Akwa Ibom state was one of the drivers of the IGR.

“Akwa Ibom stands tall as one of the states in Nigeria, if not the very first that has created an environment for people to live, eat and relax and for the ease of doing business.

“The next was to exercise prudent fiscal management, managing the funds in a manner that is transparent. This has attracted voluntary compliance from taxpayers,” he stated.