The Edo State Government, led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, has banned direct cash collection for revenue payments across the state in a move to address complaints of extortion by individuals posing as revenue officers.
This decision, announced on Tuesday in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., adopts a streamlined revenue collection system developed by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) in collaboration with local government councils and relevant associations.
The statement emphasized the state’s commitment to enforcing the new template, which recognizes only EIRS-licensed agents, thereby eliminating unauthorized agents and touts from revenue collection.
“The government has fully resolved that the system of revenue collection in the state shall solely be predicated on the existing template developed by the EIRS,” the statement read.
The directive aims to safeguard residents, including commercial bus drivers and market traders, from extortion while ensuring accountability and transparency in the revenue collection process.
To enforce compliance, security agents have been placed on high alert. The government warned that violators of the directive would face strict consequences.
This reform reflects Edo State’s broader efforts to protect its citizens from exploitation and enhance the integrity of its revenue collection system.
