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The Acting Chairman of Benue State Internal Revenue Service, Emmanuel Agena, has revealed that 35 individuals involved in illegal tax collection in the state are currently being prosecuted.
He mentioned that the agency aims to generate over N16 billion in 2024, following the surpassing of its N14 billion target in 2023.
Agena expressed concern about the activities of illegal tax collectors, attributing their actions to the support of influential figures.
He emphasized that favoring politicians is now a thing of the past under his leadership.
Agena criticized the recent incident involving the hijacking of a truck carrying relief supplies from Adamawa to Anambra State by youths in Aliade, Gwer East.
According to the BIRS boss, the agency planned to recover over N5.6bn from ground rent and was liaising with the state’s Ministry of Land in that regard.
“We also, engaged the service of Softnet, an ICT company to aid us collect revenue. They are paid a commission. The company have engaged over 250 staff, who have been trained and given Point on Sale to collect revenue.
“Taxation is about confidence. Our work now is easy because taxpayers are willing to pay because the people are seeing what the government is doing,” he stated.
