Cross River’s IRS rises 209% to N46bn in 18 months
- Gov Otu commissions Calabar 1 Tax Office
Ben Eguzozie
The Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has achieved a remarkable 209% increase in tax revenue to N46 billion from N22 billion over the past 18 months, the state’s ministry of finance said, attributing the milestone to enhanced efficiency and strategic reforms rather than an increased tax burden.
Edwin Okon, chairman of the Cross River Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), said the IGR surged from N22 billion to N46 billion.
He further said the IRS’s 2024 revenue target was initially set at N36 billion but was later raised to N45 billion due to their exceptional performance.
In addition, the state government has commissioned a newly remodeled Calabar 1 IRS Tax Office, in a move the Governor Bassey Otu said, reaffirms the state’s commitment to financial efficiency, technological innovation, and improved taxpayer services.
He said the significant revenue growth was due to a series of strategic reforms, automation of revenue collection, and the dedication of the Cross River IRS team, led by its chairman, Okon.
“The remodeling of this one-stop tax office is a testament to our commitment to making tax payment seamless for individuals and businesses in Cross River State, while also providing our workers with a befitting environment to deliver greater results. Our goal is to enhance internal revenue generation, which is key to the state’s financial health and attractiveness to investors,” the governor, represented by the commissioner for finance Michael Odere, said.
The IRS chairman Okon, reflecting on the agency’s transformation under his leadership, said he recalled his initial reluctance to visit the Calabar 1 Tax Office due to its dilapidated condition following a recent rainstorm but expressed pride in its complete turnaround.
“When I eventually visited, I was determined to change things, and today, we have reversed its reputation. This office is now a desirable place to work,” Okon stated.
He promised that the CRS-IRS was committed to surpassing the target in the coming year, 2025.
The remodeled Calabar 1 IRS Tax Office is expected to serve as a benchmark for other locations across the state, as the IRS board aims to replicate the transformation in other regions to further strengthen revenue generation and enhance the taxpayer experience.