New Delta Revenue Bill: Ighrakpata Hails Initiative

The Deputy Chief Whip and Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Special Duties, Hon (Chief) Solomon Ighrakpata has commended the idea to give autonomy to the Delta State Revenue Board.

Ighrakpata representing Uvwie Constituency in the House and a former member of the State Board of Internal Revenue, said in an interview in his office in Asaba that the development will lead to increase in revenue and good governance in the state.

Hon Solomon Ighrakpata stated that the proposed Delta State Internal Revenue Service and its board law, is to grant complete autonomy to the agency saddled with the responsibility of taxation and other internally revenue generation in the state.

Hon Ighrakpata, explained that there were a lot of limitations in the existing revenue law in the state, especially in the area of compliance and enforcement which is the key to any tax drive.

The Lawmaker who is the Vice Chairman, House Committee on Public Account, said the proposed law will empower the board to operate without much hindrance, pointing out that all the lacuna in the existing revenue law of the state would be addressed.

Hon Ighrakpata noted that the dwindling revenue from oil had continued to increase the push for an enhanced internally revenue generation in state and called for the support of all critical stakeholders.

While commending Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his proactive approach to governance, the Lawmaker stressed that the need for an enabling revenue law that would promote the operations of the government establishment charged with internally revenue generation in the state, can not be overemphasized.

He said Lagos and River States had remained on top in terms of IGR as a result of the potency of their revenue laws, stating that Delta has a lot to learn from the two states.

Hon Ighrakpata expressed optimism that the proposed establishment of Delta State Internal Revenue Service would bring positive development to the state.

The Deputy Chief Whip and Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties also expressed optimism for early passage of the revenue bill and its assent by the governor.

Hon Ighrakpata stated that as a former member of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, he understands the challenges faced by the board, maintaining that the proposed law was a step in the right direction.

The Delta State Internal Revenue Service and its board bill scaled through the second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly at plenary on Wednesday this week.

The second reading of the bill was passed after a robust debate on its merits by the lawmakers.

The Majority Leader, Hon Tim Owhefere, Isoko North, who led the debate on the merits, said the Executive bill was aimed at perfecting the revenue generating laws in Delta State in line with what obtains globally.