The Edo State Government has officially banned its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from engaging in revenue collection activities. This directive serves to uphold and strengthen the mandate of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) as the primary body responsible for revenue collection within the state.
John Odior, the Executive Chairman of the EIRS, announced this decision during a meeting with Heads of MDAs and Permanent Secretaries. He stated that this measure is part of a strategic effort to sanitize, streamline, and ensure complete accountability for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Odior emphasized that all Heads of MDAs must strictly adhere to the Edo State Revenue Administration Law. He further clarified that all revenue collections are to be conducted exclusively through government-approved IGR accounts, and any existing unauthorized accounts must be discontinued immediately.
This directive, detailed in a circular dated April 1, 2026, and distributed to relevant government officials, reaffirms the EIRS as the sole entity legally empowered to assess, collect, and report all revenues accruing to the state government. This authority is derived from Section 10 (2) and Section 21 (b) of the Edo State Revenue Administration Law, 2012.
Furthermore, MDAs are instructed to halt the engagement of any third-party agents for the collection of taxes, levies, or fees. Taxpayers and business operators are to be cautioned against making payments to unauthorized individuals or groups, with all payments directed to the designated government accounts.
The circular also mandates that all assessments and payments for services, renewals, and licenses must be processed via the Edo Revenue Administration System (ERAS). Any MDA official or individual found to be in violation of this directive will face legal sanctions.
Odior stressed that full cooperation with this directive is non-negotiable for effective revenue tracking and the elimination of financial leakages. He expressed dissatisfaction with the current level of compliance, highlighting that strict revenue discipline is crucial for the government to fund infrastructure and development projects across the state.
