The Executive Chairman of the Delta State Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Hon. (Chief) Solomon Ighrakpata, has announced a remarkable milestone in internally generated revenue (IGR) for the 2024 fiscal year, achieving an outstanding 143.05% performance.
In a statement shared with newsmen, Hon. Ighrakpata expressed his excitement at the Service’s achievement, revealing that it significantly surpassed its revenue target for the year.
He disclosed that against the projected IGR target of N110,304,108,619.00 (One Hundred and Ten Billion, Three Hundred and Four Million, One Hundred and Eight Thousand, Six Hundred and Nineteen Naira), the Service successfully generated N157,785,188,072.55 (One Hundred and Fifty-Seven Billion, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand, Seventy-Two Naira and Fifty-Five Kobo).
He further highlighted that the 2024 revenue collection exceeded the N114,088,309,224.99 (One Hundred and Fourteen Billion, Eighty-Eight Million, Three Hundred and Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty-Four Naira and Ninety-Nine Kobo) generated in 2023, marking an unprecedented milestone in Delta State’s history.
Hon. Ighrakpata described the achievement as historic, emphasizing the Service’s commitment to sustaining and surpassing the impressive record in subsequent years.
“Despite this momentous accomplishment, we remain resolute in our determination not only to maintain this momentum but to set even higher standards for revenue collections,” he stated.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Executive Chairman identified the informal sector and high-net-worth individuals as key focus areas for the state government’s revenue drive.
He also expressed profound gratitude to Governor Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori for his administration’s transformative projects and peace-building efforts, which have created a conducive environment for businesses to thrive across the state.
Hon. Ighrakpata credited the Governor’s leadership for boosting public confidence in the IRS’s revenue drive and fostering a culture of voluntary tax compliance.
He noted that taxpayers are increasingly motivated by the visible and judicious use of their contributions, which continue to translate into tangible developmental projects across Delta State.
He added, “Our appreciation also goes to the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner of Finance and Commissioner of Economic Planning for the administrative support granted the Service, which was instrumental to our remarkable success.
“I am immensely grateful to the members of the Board of Delta State Internal Revenue Service, the Executive Directors, Management and staff of the Service for culture of collaboration, teamwork, hard work and dedication, which have paid off in terms of increased IGR collections since we took over the business of revenue generation in the month of July, 2023.
“I also wish to sincerely appreciate all relevant stakeholders including the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State Government, the Security Agencies, the Revenue Collecting Banks, the Organized Private Sector, Professional Bodies, Unions, Trade Associations, Business Groups, Traditional Institutions, Local Government Authorities, etc for partnering with the Service and dutifully performing their civic responsibility of paying their due taxes to the Delta State Government. This is indeed an important part of our success story”.
Hon Ighrakpata expressed the hope that all will continue to partner with the Service as it continues to exercise its mandate of shoring up the IGR to provide the funds needed to execute more people-oriented projects by the result oriented Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori under the M.O.R.E. Agenda of his administration.
Continuing the IRS Executive Chairman said, “once again we are proud of this achievement, which demonstrates our ability to effectively mobilize revenue and contribute to the development of Delta State.
“As we celebrate this success, we remain committed to continuing our efforts to improve revenue generation and ensure that our state remains economically vibrant and sustainable”.
