By Ikpommwosa odigie
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Barr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun, has announced that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo recorded a total revenue of N33.8 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of the year.
Bankole-Balogun made the disclosure in Benin City on Friday shortly after he was honoured by Pinnacle Builder Homes and Company.
According to him, the N33.8 billion generated within the first three months of the year translates to an impressive monthly average of N9.8 billion.
“Under the leadership of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of the state, we have been able to achieve, attain, and sustain an increased level of revenue. That is why His Excellency, to this day, has not borrowed a single penny to execute virtually all of the gigantic projects he has embarked upon,” the EIRS boss said.
He further revealed that Edo State’s first-quarter revenue performance far outpaces that of some other states.
“Somebody sent me a message from one of the states saying they achieved N19 billion in the first quarter, and I laughed,” Bankole-Balogun said. “In Edo State, under this government, we achieved N33.8 billion in the first quarter, with an average of N9.8 billion monthly. In fact, once or twice, we’ve crossed the N10 billion mark something that has never been done before.”
He noted that the figure surpasses the personal target the revenue service set for itself, describing it as a testament to the government’s prudent fiscal management and robust revenue drive.
Bankole-Balogun also used the occasion to remind citizens that paying taxes is a civic responsibility and called on the media to help sensitize the public on the importance of tax compliance.
“We need your taxes to make Edo greater and continuously rise,” he stated. “Paying taxes is not an option. It is a civic responsibility, and it behoves all of us to contribute our quota to building our state for now and for future generations.”
