The Chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata, has said that the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.664 trillion is a welcome development in the government’s efforts towards accelerated progress in Delta state.
Speaking with newsmen minutes after the presentation of the appropriation bill to the State House of Assembly by the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Hon Ighrakpata said it was gratifying that the bulk of the budget is allocated to capital expenditure.
According to the former lawmaker who represented Uvwie Constituency and served as Deputy Chief Whip in the 7th Assembly, the 70 % earmarked for capital projects and 30 % for recurrent spending underscores Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to an infrastructural revolution in Delta State.
He commended the Governor for his visionary leadership and unquenchable appetite to serve the people of Delta State, noting that the budget aims to enhance the wellbeing and living standards of Deltans.
On the projected N250 billion revenue collection for 2026, the IRS Boss welcomed the target, saying it validates the several reforms on tax collection by the federal government which was domesticated in the state.
Ighrakpata explained that the expected rise is a direct result of professionalized revenue processes and a broader tax net that the board has been rolling out over the past two years.
The chairman maintained that the new revenue goal is achievable because the board has already lifted IGR from N84 billion target in 2022 to N158 billion in 2024 and hope to make appreciable mark by the end of 2025.
He highlighted that expanded taxpayer registration and tighter compliance measures are key strategies that should make the 2026 fiscal‑year target attainable, and assured that the board will achieve the target without causing any pain to taxpayers.
While promising a further push for greater taxpayer compliance, Hon. Ighrakpata assured that stricter filing deadlines and broader coverage of the informal sector will be enforced, stressing that cracking down on leakages is essential to meeting the N250 billion target.
He added that with more funds in the system, the state government will be better positioned to deliver more on its promises to the people, noting that the thrust of the 2026 budget is to promote sustainable growth and all‑round accelerated development.