By Aga Samuel Imoter
The Taraba State Government has unveiled a five-year strategic revenue plan aimed at increasing internally generated revenue (IGR), improving fiscal sustainability and reducing dependence on federal allocations.
The plan was presented on Thursday during the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Agbu Kefas at the Executive Council Chamber, TY Danjuma House, Jalingo.
Presenting the strategy, Chairman of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service (TIRS), retired Gen. Jeremiah Faransa, said the reforms would focus on digitalising revenue administration, reducing leakages, improving tax compliance and expanding the state’s revenue base.
Governor Kefas said a stronger IGR system was necessary to sustain government investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and security. He directed the Commissioner for Finance to provide TIRS with the resources and institutional support required to implement the plan. The governor also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in strengthening public confidence and attracting investment.
Faransa said TIRS had undertaken reforms since the current board assumed office, including the elimination of multiple and unauthorised revenue collection channels, blocking revenue leakages and implementing the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
He said the measures had contributed to an improvement in the state’s monthly internally generated revenue.The Director of the TIRS Board, Japhet Theophilus, said the five-year strategy includes institutional restructuring, digital transformation and stronger compliance mechanisms to broaden the tax base and improve revenue administration.
The government said the plan is expected to strengthen fiscal stability and provide more sustainable funding for public services and development projects across Taraba State.
