The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has lauded the efforts of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service(EKIRS) in boosting the state’s internally generated revenue. The state’s revenue under the present EKIRS has surged from approximately N600 million to over N1.3 billion.
Governor Oyebanji, represented by the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, made these remarks at the launch of the (*5229#) USSD Payment System held at the Governor’s Conference Hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday.
In his address, Governor Oyebanji highlighted the importance of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as a key economic indicator of government performance, stating, “The increase in our IGR is not due to higher taxes or the introduction of new ones but is a reflection of real improvement in revenue collection. I commend all revenue-generating MDAs, corporate, and individual taxpayers for their cooperation.”
The Governor emphasized that his administration has focused on improving the efficiency of tax collections and implementing technology to streamline processes and reduce revenue leakages, rather than introducing new taxes.
“Today, I am pleased to announce another initiative designed to make it easier for everyone to pay the Ekiti State Government. We are proud to introduce ‘Irorun de’ – a cutting-edge system that will revolutionize the way we pay our taxes. This innovation is expected to significantly boost our IGR and make tax collection easier, cheaper, and more convenient,” Governor Oyebanji said.
He added that the “Irorun de” system will eliminate the need for lengthy queues, cumbersome forms, and time-consuming paperwork. With the new system, taxpayers can now make payments using the USSD code *5229# on any mobile phone, even without internet connectivity. Payments can be made from the comfort of one’s home, office, or shop, 24/7.
“As a government that listens, we are committed to continually improving our processes. This initiative, in collaboration with LSSBI Advisory, will have an immediate impact, especially in remote and rural communities with a large population of underbanked individuals. No longer will people need to physically visit banks or tax offices or use expensive internet-enabled devices to make payments to the government,” he added.
Governor Oyebanji assured that the “Irorun de” system is secure, reliable, and user-friendly, with payments processed in real-time. He noted that the system would reduce the risks associated with cash handling and eliminate the need for intermediaries, making the payment of taxes a seamless experience.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, the Commissioner for Budget, Mr. Adebayo, EKIRS Chairman, Mr Rufus Olaniran Olatona and several other notable figures.