BENIN CITY – Edo State Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, has commended the State Board of Internal Revenue for the marked improvement in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of the state.

According to him, the IGR has risen to about N450 million monthly from its previous N230 million monthly since the inception of his administration.

The governor gave the commendation in Benin City yesterday when he commissioned 10 brand new KIA vehicles purchased by the board as utility vehicles which he noted was the first of its kind in the state.

Prof. Osunbor explained that the board’s impressive performance made him increase its cost of revenue collection from one to four percent and encouraged it not to relent in its effort, adding that it should block all leakages in the revenue generating machinery in order to meet the N8 billion target of the state in 2008.

Governor Osunbor, who expressed delight at the development, urged other boards and parastatals in the state to emulate the Board of Internal Revenue in the strive to achieve excellence which is the focus of the state government in the socio-economic development of Edo State.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Osayande Ugiagbe, said the board facilitated the procurement of the vehicles from its savings from the four percent of overhead cost, with a down payment of N4,609,000.00 out of a total cost of N24,135, 244.31, insurance inclusive.

According to him, the board has also paid the first month’s instalment from the same purse with hope to liquidate the balance sum within the next five months without extra cost to the state government.

While thanking Governor Osunbor for his encouragement, Dr. Ugiagbe assured him that members of the board, management and staff had resolved to hit the internally generated revenue target and even surpass it before the end of the year.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the formal commissioning of the vehicles by the governor, who thereafter drove in one of them.