By Jethro Ibileke
The Executive Chairman of Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Oladele Bankole-Balogun, has disclosed that a total of ₦52.6 billion revenue was generated between January and June 2025.
Bankole-Balogun, who disclosed this on Thursday in Benin City, noted that the agency had set a half-year target of ₦58.8 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, but achieved 89.5 per cent performance.
According to him, the ₦52.6 billion is 46 per cent higher than the ₦36.1 billion generated in 2024 within the period under review.
He gave the breakdown of the IGR in the past six months as ₦10.4 billion in January, ₦9.6 billion in February and ₦6.9 billion in March, ₦6.9 billion in April, ₦7.8 billion in May and ₦11.05 billion in June.
The EIRS boss commended taxpayers, individuals, corporations, and government MDAs in the State for their compliance, which he said was instrumental to the success.
He said, “Your taxes are the lifeblood of the massive infrastructural and developmental projects currently being executed across our dear state.
“We are committed to delivering value-added services, improving transparency, and strengthening the tax system to build a sustainable Edo State, one where tax revenue powers development, and developmental rewards taxpayers.
“The road ahead may be tough, but the destination is clear. We invite every stakeholder to join us in building a tax-compliant Edo, and to support the transformation of our state not as a burden, but as a patriotic duty to future generations.”
Bankole-Balogun disclosed that the agency is working with the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-approved Verxide, to establish the one-stop-shop driver’s license and vehicle administration centres in six strategic locations across the state.
According to him, the locations are in Forestry Road and in Ikpoba-Okha local government area secretariat, in Benin City, Ekpoma, Auchi, Uromi and Igarra.
He stated that the centres would leverage technology to streamline licensing and registration, cut down waiting time and enhance revenue generation.