Cross River Records 21.6% Increase In IGR Earnings
By Our Reporter
The Cross River State Government has continued to make significant progress in its Internally Generated Revenue with records showing a 21.6% increase between May and June of 2023, making it a major achievement in the many milestones accomplished by Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu as he marches towards his 100 days in office.
Statistical data provided by the Cross River Internal Revenue Service's Department of Planning, Research and Statistics revealed that Cross River recorded a 21.6% increase between May and June of 2023, with further analysis showing a 50% increase between June of 2022 and 2023 and a 59.5% increase between July of 2022 and July 2023, thereby boosting the State's revenue profile.
The Acting Executive Chairman, Cross River Internal Revenue Service, Prince Edwin Okon disclosed that the increment stems from the tax reforms put in place to curb revenue leakages through an improved automated payment system; harmonized tax system; the introduction of the Integrated Cluster System which intensively expands its tax net and work performance of Staff members.
Prince Okon added that the results are a push directed towards working harder to achieving and exceeding set targets, enough to fund government policies for the good of both the government and the governed.
Under the leadership of Prince Okon, the Cross River Internal Revenue Service has also recorded other successes such as the identification and blockage of revenue leakages in the State; collaboration with Security Operatives and the Chief Judge of Cross River State to curb illegal revenue checkpoints and for the resumption of mobile revenue courts of which four suspects have been arraigned in court.
There is also ongoing dialogue with the Cross River State House of Assembly on the amendment and passage of tax related bills and laws.
In addition, the return of the Motor Licensing Authority function back to the IRS, improved staff welfare, strategic stakeholders engagements with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Niger Mills, Larfarge Africa Plc, Wilmer Oil Palm Plantation Estates, Mining Operators and Committees set up by government, amongst other achievements, are all in the common interest of growing the economy of the State and attracting investments.
