The Plateau State Internal Revenue Service has recorded a significant increase in internally generated revenue, surpassing ₦30 billion for the first time in the state’s history.
The chairman of the service, Mr. Jim Pam Wayas, disclosed this while addressing tax reforms and revenue generation efforts in the state. He stated that in 2022, the state generated ₦15.9 billion, which increased to ₦25.8 billion by the end of 2023.
However, revenue for the last fiscal year reached ₦31.14 billion, marking a milestone for the state.
“As of the close of business last year, we recorded ₦31.14 billion in revenue. This was the first time Plateau State exceeded the ₦30 billion benchmark in revenue generation,” he said.
Wayas explained that the government has set a revenue target of ₦52 billion for 2025, with January alone recording ₦3.3 billion, one of the highest amounts collected in a single month.
He attributed the rise in revenue to ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening internal revenue generation. He noted that the decline in federal allocations had necessitated a stronger focus on state-generated income.
According to him, debts incurred in previous years, particularly foreign loans, had affected federal allocations due to fluctuations in exchange rates.
“The state’s subsidy allocation has been in the negative for the past six months. While federal figures may indicate billions allocated, deductions leave much less in the state’s coffers,”he said.
Wayas identified the mining sector as an area where the state had been losing substantial revenue despite high mineral extraction. He revealed that foreign nationals were engaged in mining activities without proper documentation or financial contributions to the state.
“Many of these foreign nationals are not properly registered, and some have multiple bank accounts under questionable circumstances. It appears to be a cartel, but we are determined to regulate the sector,” he stressed.
Beyond mining, he highlighted property taxation as another area of focus, noting that some individuals own over 50 properties yet have never paid tax.
He emphasized that tax laws require individuals to pay based on their place of residence, but some high-net-worth individuals in Plateau were paying elsewhere.
Wayas stated that the service was strengthening collaboration with key agencies to improve tax compliance. He added that digital payment systems had been introduced to ensure all revenues go directly into government accounts, preventing mismanagement.
“No one in the Revenue Service—including the chairman, management, and staff—has access to IGR funds. All collected revenues go directly into designated accounts and are transferred to the Treasury Single Account (TSA),” he said.
He urged residents to fulfill their tax obligations, stating that revenue from taxation was necessary for infrastructure, security, and economic growth.
He assured that the government remained committed to ensuring accountability in the utilization of state funds.
