The Bayelsa State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) has announced a remarkable achievement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), reaching N4.2 billion in a single month—a 320% increase from previous figures. This milestone, revealed in a statement by BIRS on Saturday, is attributed to the introduction of an electronic ticketing (e-ticketing) system that has effectively addressed cash leakages, reduced corruption, and enhanced transparency in tax collection.
Daniel Eniekezimene, Chairman of BIRS, explained that the government has fully automated its tax collection process, ensuring that all payments from transport operators, traders, and businesses are directly deposited into state accounts. Unlike the previous manual system, the new e-ticketing platform issues instant receipts, making transactions traceable and minimizing opportunities for extortion.
“This is a pivotal moment for Bayelsa. We’ve eliminated revenue leakages and ensured that every kobo collected goes directly into government accounts,” Eniekezimene remarked.
Commercial tricycle operator Isaac Tamuno expressed his relief, saying, “In the past, we never knew where our money was going. Now, with the e-ticket, we receive receipts immediately, and no one can cheat us. It’s a huge improvement for us.”
Eniekezimene further emphasized that the surge in IGR would support critical infrastructure projects, as well as improvements in education and healthcare.
Governor Douye Diri also highlighted the significance of this revenue growth, stating, “This unprecedented increase means we can now invest more in roads, schools, and healthcare. Our administration is dedicated to ensuring that all Bayelsans benefit from these reforms.”
Bayelsa’s success with e-ticketing is already being recognized as a model for other states struggling with low IGR. Eniekezimene underscored the broader potential of this reform, urging other states to adopt e-ticketing to enhance revenue collection and ensure greater accountability.
“What we’ve achieved in Bayelsa demonstrates that technology is the key to progress. Other states facing similar challenges should consider e-ticketing as a solution to improve their revenue collection and transparency,” he concluded.