Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River, says the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, has significantly improved under his watch.
Otu made the assertion while inaugurating the newly renovated Calabar I Tax Office in Calabar on Wednesday.
Represented by Mr Mike Odere, the Commissioner for Finance, Otu said that his administration had also ensured judicious use of internally generated revenue.
The governor stated that the state’s IGR had increased by 209 per cent in the last 18 months, adding,” this was made possible through efficient revenue drive”
“We did not increase taxes, we only became more efficient through the use of technology. Revenue generation goes far beyond collecting taxes.
“We collect our taxes in a way that will not affect taxpayers negatively, we have also ensured prudent use of the resources we generate,” he said.
Otu said that in the past, the state had a tax office that was docile, saying,” today, our tax office is a one-stop-shop for tax matters”
Mr Edwin Okon, the Chairman, Cross River Internal Revenue Service, said that the state’s IGR which stood at N22 billion in Dec. 2022, increased to N46 billion in Dec. 2024.
Okon thanked the governor for his support to the service, and urged members of staff to be more diligent in order to achieve its targets for 2025.
Mr Hilary Bisong, the Member representing Boki 2 constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly, commended the state revenue office for being ‘overwhelmingly efficient’
He expressed the commitment of the assembly to make laws that would empower the state revenue service to be more efficient and result-oriented
