Taraba Can Generate N5bn Monthly Revenue – TIRS Chairman

Chairman of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service (TIRS), Jeremiah Yakubu Faransa, said the state has the potential to generate N5 billion monthly in internally generated revenue (IGR), if public officials embrace transparency, professionalism and effective revenue administration.

Faransa, who spoke at a symposium on tax reforms, fiscal policy and revenue optimisation in Jalingo, said achieving the target would require collective commitment from financial management specialists, project accountants, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and other stakeholders.

He lamented that, revenue leakages, poor coordination among government agencies and inadequate accountability had continued to undermine the state’s revenue generation capacity.

The TIRS chairman, who called for an end to the indiscriminate operation of revenue collection points, disclosed that more than 100 internally generated revenue accounts were operated by MDAs when he assumed office, a situation he said necessitated efforts to introduce a Treasury Single Account system to strengthen government revenue management.

He urged financial officers to ensure that taxes deducted from contractors, employees and other transactions were promptly remitted to the appropriate authorities, stressing that deductions without timely remittance undermined the objectives of tax reforms.

Gen Faransa also called for greater adoption of digital technology in revenue collection, financial reporting and public expenditure management, noting that technology-driven systems would improve transparency, strengthen accountability and reduce opportunities for revenue diversion.

He emphasised that, integrity, professionalism, competence and merit should guide appointments and financial administration in the state.

He warned that tribal considerations, nepotism and religious sentiments must not be allowed to undermine public service delivery.

The chairman urged financial management professionals to improve their technical knowledge and pursue relevant professional qualifications, including those offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

Earlier, the Accountant-General of Taraba State, Danjuma Gaius, said effective public financial management reforms were critical to strengthening the state’s revenue base, improving budget credibility and ensuring the efficient utilisation of public funds.

He said revenue optimisation should go beyond increasing taxes and levies to include broadening the revenue base, improving compliance, reducing revenue leakages and creating an enabling environment for investment and economic growth.

Mr Gaius, urged financial management specialists to strengthen revenue forecasting, internal controls, digital payment systems and performance monitoring, adding that all government revenue must be properly assessed, documented, remitted and accounted for.

He also called for stronger collaboration among the Office of the Accountant-General, the Ministry of Finance, the TIRS and other relevant MDAs to ensure that public funds were managed in line with approved budgets and the state’s development priorities.

In his remarks, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Danjuma Ismaila Saigudu, said sustainable revenue mobilisation was essential to meeting the state’s growing obligations in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other public services.

Mr. Saigudu described financial specialists and project accountants as critical to implementing tax reforms, safeguarding public funds and ensuring that government expenditure translated into measurable development outcomes.

He urged participants to contribute practical recommendations that would strengthen fiscal planning, improve accountability and enhance the state’s financial resilience.

A representative of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Pyikison Yunana, said recent tax reforms were designed to modernise tax administration, simplify compliance, reduce multiple taxation and improve coordination among revenue authorities.

Yunana explained that the reforms introduced changes to tax administration, digital payment systems and the treatment of various tax obligations, while providing exemptions for eligible low-income earners and small businesses.

He said the Nigeria Revenue Service was preparing to introduce the REF 360 platform on October 31 to simplify tax payments and improve transaction tracking.

Yunana urged financial management specialists to ensure accurate tax deductions, prompt remittances and proper documentation, noting that effective collaboration between the federal and state revenue authorities was essential to achieving revenue targets.