BENIN CITY: The Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) has intensified efforts to curb revenue leakages, warning scratch card vendors and haulage sector revenue collectors to comply with operational guidelines or risk sanctions, including termination.
Executive Chairman of the Service, John Osirenimhe Odior, issued the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting at the agency’s headquarters in Benin City.
Odior, while acknowledging the contributions of vendors and collectors, expressed concern over irregularities in beat allocations and non-compliance with established procedures at revenue collection points, promising a review to ensure fairness and transparency.
He stressed that taxation remains critical to the state’s development, linking revenue generation to the performance of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
“For government to deliver on its mandate and earn the trust of the people, it must be supported by strong revenue. Stakeholders must demonstrate commitment through transparency, diligence and compliance,” he said.
The EIRS chairman pledged continued support through simplified tax processes, public enlightenment, enforcement measures and incentives for high-performing collectors.
He also urged company directors and business owners to meet the March 31 deadline for filing annual tax returns, reiterating the importance of tax compliance to Edo State’s development agenda.
In his remarks, Executive Director of MDA Services, Jackson Eribo, described the poor performance of some vendors as worrisome, warning that it undermines revenue targets and calling for stricter disciplinary measures.
Responding, stakeholders acknowledged operational challenges, but pledged renewed commitment to improved performance and revenue delivery.
