The Edo State House of Assembly has expressed satisfaction over the revenue system of Edo State.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon Victor Edoro made the remarks when the Exexcutive Chairman of Edo State Internal Reveneue Service (EIRS), Chief Oseni Elamah presented the 2015 budget performance of his agency to the House.
The Speaker who described the the presentation as an indept analysis of the budget performance, stated that despite the dwindling economic challenge, Edo State Has been transformed positively, courtesy of the EIRS.
The EIRS boss had commended the House for deeming it necessary to consider the EIRS as partner in progress with the enactment of the various tax laws through which the agency recorded such monumental feat in the revenue administration in Edo and the nation at large.
He said paramount is the section of the law which provides for Tax Assessment Review Committee (TARC), that guarantees equity, fairness and justice for all to seek redress on tax related matters.
He stated further that part of the reforms had helped to building sustainable internal capacity which earned the state as one of the most foremost builder in internal capacity.
Noting that the fundamental of enforced revenue generation in the state points towards sustainable increase in the years ahead, Chief Elamah said Edo State currently ranked fourth in IGR generating states in the country.
The revenue Chief said that with the reforms in place and the implementation of the various strategic plans, more persons were captured into the tax net while the revenue bar was raised from about N260M to 2.2 billion as at 2011 before the amendment of the Personal Income Tax Act.
He added that the amendment to the personal income tax act which granted huge reliefs to taxpayers led to the drop in IGR.
Expressing brighter hope for the state in the near future, the Executive Chairman stated that under the emerging global economic challenge, there was need to focus on taxation as alternative for economic development.
He disclosed that the agency intends to carry out an enumeration survey of eligible tax payer in view of capturing more persons into the tax net as well as deepening enlightenment campaigns.