AKIRS targets N60b internally generated revenue for Akwa Ibom by 2024, says Okon
• Okon Okon, Chairman, AKIRS
Itoro Bassey
The Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) is setting its sights high, with a goal to generate N60 billion in internally generated revenue for Akwa Ibom State in the 2024 fiscal year.
This target, according to Okon Okon, Chairman of AKIRS, includes N3.94 billion allocated for capital projects.
Mr Okon spoke during his presentation of AKIRS 2024 budget proposal and 2023 budget performance report at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, last week.
Mr Okon detailed how AKIRS would generate N47 billion of the projected sum, with the remaining N13 billion expected to be produced by various other government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
He said the strategy to meet this target involves investment in capacity building, large-scale tax awareness campaigns, data sourcing, infrastructure, enumeration, and other key enablers that would help to transform AKIRS into a fully digitalized agency by 2024.
Reflecting on the agency’s progress, Mr Okon stated, “AKIRS has undergone significant transformation and reorganisation in the past five to six years, resulting in steady year-on-year growth.”
Dr Itoro Etim, Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Appropriations, urged the agency to focus on boosting its revenue generation in 2024, thereby enhancing the government’s fiscal drive and ensuring value for money.
Dr Etim emphasized the committee’s role in the budget defence, which is not only to scrutinize figures but also to foster an environment of trust in the financial institutions driving the state’s economic growth.
She stated, “Our primary aim is to ensure that AKIRS generates more revenue for the state. We are ready to assist in any way possible to help you achieve your targets.”
