Edo State stakeholders have expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing transfer of taxes collected from the state to Delta, citing the significant financial loss this has resulted in.
During a meeting on revenue collection issues with ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) hosted by the Edo State Inland Revenue Service (EIRS) on Wednesday, the problem was voiced.
Otunba Oladele Bankole-Balogun, Executive Chairman of the EIRS, welcomed revenue collection progress in his welcoming address, but emphasised the need for increased stakeholder collaboration to increase the state’s revenue base.
He clarified that one of the most important steps in stopping leaks was the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
According to Bankole-Balogun, “A fundamental tool for achieving this is the Treasury Single Account, which ensures that all government receipts flow through a transparent, centralised account, eliminating cash handling, reducing leakages, and, most importantly, improving accountability,”
Emphasising that revenue must be converted into better infrastructure, stronger health systems, better education, safer neighbourhoods, and dignity for residents, he called for all revenue streams to be deposited into the state’s IGR account with appropriate digital records and accountability.
Using the example of oil business employees in Oben who pay taxes to Delta even though they work in Edo, Engr. Stainless Ijeghede, Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA), confirmed the revenue loss.
“When I go there to work, at the end of the month, I still see on my pay slip: tax Delta. All my years there, I didn’t see tax Edo. What that means is that those who work in Oben pay tax to the Delta State Government,” he said.
Hon. Samson Osagie, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Edo State, stated that the boundary dispute had already been discussed and resolved in meetings.
In order to prevent additional revenue losses, he encouraged the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to visit the impacted areas and ratify boundaries.
He also revealed that in order to establish specialised courts for the trial of tax criminals, his ministry is putting forward a Revenue Court Law.
“There is a need for a Revenue Court and a Revenue Courts Law. The whole idea is to ensure that the entire gamut of our tax system is put together in a way that makes enforcement and prosecution of tax offenders easier,” Osagie said.
