BIRS SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH THE POLICE TO CHECKMATE THE MENACE OF ILLEGAL REVENUE COLLECTORS IN THE STATE
Suswam Jacob Terhemba
The Executive Chairman Benue State Internal Revenue Service, (BIRS) Chief Mrs Mimi Adzape Orubibi has reiterated the need for collaboration with the police force and other security agencies to drive revenue generation and checkmate the activities of illegal revenue collectors in the state. Chief Orubibi stated this today, 26th November, 2021, at the Police Force Headquarters in Makurdi while on a courtesy visit with her management team to the Commissioner of Police, Tunji Akingbola.
The revenue Boss intimated the Commissioner of Police about the menace of illegal revenue collections in the state and decried the situation where fake Point of Sales , (POS) recipients and illegal revenue checkpoints have become prevalent in the State, which she noted has affected the economy of the state as traders are being scared away from buying the numerous agricultural products from farmers in the state.
She also informed the police commissioner about the worries of traders concerning the multiple police checkpoints in the state where some of the police men resort to harassing, intimidating and extorting money from them, and called on the commissioner to fish out such bad eggs from his men.
She further informed the Commissioner of Police of her proposition to construct police post at all the gazzetted revenue inspection points in the state with police officers manning them, and provide toll free lines that people can call to report any illegal activity at such points. Also that sign posts shall be mounted conspicuously at such points with all the approved rates on them.
Mrs. Orubibi praised the police for their support noting that she has always enjoyed their support and called on the Commissioner to continue to partner with BIRS so that it will be able to achieve its objectives.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police welcomed Mrs Orubibi to his office and congratulated her on her second appointment.
He agreed with her that the proliferation of illegal revenue checkpoints in the state has become worrisome and stated that the command was also aware of these challenges and have been discussing same at the command level.
The Commissioner informed the Executive Chairman that he has already issued orders to his Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers that they shall be held responsible for any illegal check point operated within their area of command. He added that with the operations of Zenda and Whirlstrock, they are achieving results already. He promised to collaborate with the Executive Chairman on her strategies to help improve IGR in the State.
Chief Orubibi later visited the Zone 4 Headquarters of the police where she also met with the Assistant Inspector General, Mustapha Dandaura, to inform him of her resumption to office as Executive Chairman BIRS and also seek collaboration.
She recalled that during her first coming as BIRS Chairman, she succeeded because the police stood with her all the way. She therefore appealed to the AIG to once again give her the cooperation she once enjoyed.
Suswam Jacob Terhemba
Media Assistant to the Executive Chairman, BIRS
26th November, 2023
