Mr. Okon Okon, Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service.
Abasifreke Effiong, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service AKIRS, has generated N24.1 billion in IGR between January and September 2021.
This figure represents 84.7% of the State’s projected IGR for the year 2021 which was N38 billion.
The agency’s target is to generate N43.8 billion next year, according to figures posted in the 2022 fiscal estimates presented by Governor Udom Emmanuel to the House of Assembly on Monday 25th October.
The Executive Chairman of AKIRS, Mr. Okon Okon, says the agency will work hard to achieve 100% of its IGR target in 2022.
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Mr. Okon stated this on Wednesday at a public hearing on the 2022 Appropriations Bill organised by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriations.
He said, “We are going to raise a new standard in revenue generation next year. We have been able to generate up to 84% of our IGR target for 2021 within nine months; next year, we are poised to raise 100% of our target within the same period.”
“The Governor has shown good example in demonstrating value for taxpayers’ money. We are encouraged by the futuristic infrastructural development and other value-added projects notably in aviation, health and education which the Governor is doing with taxpayers’ money, so we will work hard to generate enough money to fund the budget.”
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Mr. Okon said the projections in the 2022 fiscal estimates presented by the Governor are “realistic”, applauds Governor Emmanuel for proposing “a functional budget with accomplishable strategies.”
He said the main objective of the 2022 budget which is job creation will further stimulate the economy while creating more potentials for revenue generation.
The Board Chairman thanked taxpayers in the State for their cooperation and encouraged them to keep on supporting the government to deliver on its mandate by paying their tax.
