Edo Appoints Tax Consultant, Bans Dues Collection At Haulage Fee Points
By Osehobo Ofure, Benin-City
In a move aimed at boosting revenue collection and streamlining financial operations, the Edo State Government has appointed Atalakpe Recovery Concepts Ltd as an enforcement consultant for the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS).
Additionally, the government has banned the collection of union dues at haulage fee points across the state to enhance efficiency in the sector.
The appointment of Atalakpe Recovery Concepts Ltd owned by Mr Tony Kabala, Edo APC youth leader, was approved by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The enforcement consultant is expected to collaborate with the in-house compliance and enforcement unit to ensure a significant increase in revenue collection and remittance.
The letter of appointment reads: “This appointment is target-based, and as such, the Service expects a marked increase in revenue collection and remittance.”
It added that the consultant must maintain a professional approach devoid of public outrage. The initial appointment is for three months and will be subject to review.
In a related development, the EIRS has prohibited unions from collecting dues at haulage fee points across Edo State.
The decision, announced by Bankole-Balogun, seeks to eliminate confusion and ensure that only authorized revenue collectors operate at designated locations.
The EIRS raised concerns over reports that some unions had been illegally collecting dues and issuing tickets at these fee points.
“This practice is unacceptable,” the agency stated, clarifying that only authorized personnel are permitted to collect haulage fees through the issuance of government-approved revenue scratch cards”.
Explaining the rationale for the ban, Bankole-Balogun stressed that haulage fee points must remain dedicated to their intended purpose. “By restricting these points to official revenue collection, we promote smoother operations and reduce conflicts,” he said.
He urged unions to adopt alternative methods for collecting dues from their members while ensuring compliance with the new directive. Security agencies were notified and instructed to enforce appropriate sanctions against violators.
