Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Service, IRS, Hon (Chief) Solomon Ighrakpata says enhanced internally generated revenue receipts for the State would be of top priority as the new Board assumes office.
Hon Ighrakpata stated this at the Cenotaph in Asaba, venue of the reception organized in his honour and that of the other four Executive Directors, shortly after the inauguration of the Board by the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
Ighrakpata, a former Lawmaker who represented Uvwie Constituency and the immediate past Deputy Chief Whip of the State Assembly, said the new Board would be committed to its core mandate in the State.
According to him, Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, is a major source of fund for any government all over the world, saying that an increase in its generation, would translate to more development in the State.
Hon Ighrakpata pledged that the newly inaugurated Board will work hard to achieve the mandate as provided by the relevant laws establishing the State Internal Revenue Service.
He said focus would be to expand the Tax Net of the State, rather than increase in already existing tax being paid by the people, including public and private organizations.
Ighrakpata noted the enormity of financial burdens on the State government, stressing that with more revenue for the State, the lofty goals of Oborevwori’s led administration would be achieved.
The former Lawmaker explained that he intends to apply the tenets of team work with the Directors of the Board to achieve success, even as he appealed for the support and cooperation of all critical stakeholders.
He assured that effective implementation of the programs and policies of the State government would boost the state’s economy and the development of basic infrastructure in the State.
Hon Ighrakpata paid glowing tributes to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the appointment and assured that he would not betray the confidence reposed on him.
On the reception organized in his honour and for Directors of the Board, the IRS Chairman commended the State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme for making out time to attend the ceremony as well as other Deltans and friends of the State who defiled the heavy rains to grace the event.
Ighrakpata also used the opportunity to thank the Speaker of the Delta State Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor and Members of the House for perfecting the appointments, saying that he appreciated the honour granted him and his colleagues greatly, when they appeared at the Hallowed Chamber for screening and subsequent confirmation.
He appealed for continued support of Deltans to the MORE agenda of the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevrwori, which he said is aimed at advancing the State to the next level of development.