BENIN CITY: The Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to advance the SHINE agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo and meet the state’s revenue targets.
The Executive Chairman of EIRS, Otunba Oladele Bankole-Balogun, gave the assurance while receiving the Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment, Hon. Omo Anabor, during a courtesy visit to the Service’s headquarters in Benin City.
Bankole-Balogun said effective revenue administration depends on seamless inter-agency cooperation, stressing that EIRS’ recent gains were driven by improved synergy across the government.
He disclosed that within one year of the current board’s inauguration, internally generated revenue rose to N110 billion in 2025, up from N85 billion previously.
According to him, the board has prioritised staff training and institutional reforms to sustain revenue growth and efficiency.
He appealed for continued support from the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment to achieve and exceed the N162 billion IGR target for 2026 and to strengthen the operation of the Treasury Single Account.
Earlier, Anabor said his visit formed part of a broader engagement with key stakeholder agencies within his first two months in office, aimed at aligning operations with his ministry’s mandate. He called for sustained partnership with EIRS to drive investment, trade and revenue expansion in the state.
In a related engagement, the EIRS chairman also hosted the Director-General of the Edo State Fire Service, Hon. Anthony Ojo, and members of the agency’s board. Bankole-Balogun commended the Fire Service for its efforts in reducing fire incidents and pledged collaboration to further improve safety outcomes.
He said EIRS would work with the agency to develop strategies to curb fire outbreaks, upgrade operational infrastructure and enforce sanctions against individuals and corporate bodies that flout fire safety regulations.
