Delta Records Over ₦200bn IGR as RMAFC Applauds Oborevwori’s Reforms

Delta State has increased its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from approximately ₦84 billion in 2023 to over ₦200 billion, representing a growth of more than 138 per cent, as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration intensifies efforts to diversify the state’s economy beyond oil.

The achievement was highlighted on Monday in Asaba during a visit by a delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to assess Delta State’s economic diversification and revenue generation initiatives.

Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sunny Ekedayen, said the state was deliberately repositioning its economy through strategic investments in agriculture, industrialisation, innovation and other non-oil sectors.

Ekedayen explained that the significant increase in IGR was achieved without raising personal income tax, attributing the growth to an expanded tax net, improved tax administration, stronger compliance and more efficient revenue collection.

He noted that agriculture has become a key pillar of the state’s diversification agenda through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), with government providing land while private investors supply capital and technology for large-scale cultivation of crops such as cassava and oil palm.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, disclosed that the government is strengthening industrialisation through strategic infrastructure investments, adding that the Kwale Industrial Park would soon be fully energised to attract local and foreign investors.

Tilije further revealed that the state is working with the Federal Government to revive maritime activities by improving operations at the Warri and Forcados ports, a move expected to stimulate trade and economic growth.

Leader of the RMAFC delegation, Mr. Victor Eboigbe, described the nation’s dependence on oil revenue as unsustainable and commended Delta State’s commitment to building a resilient, diversified economy.

He said the assessment aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and praised Governor Oborevwori for implementing policies aimed at promoting sustainable economic development.

The Federal Commissioner representing Delta State in RMAFC, Hon. Aruviere Martins Egwarhevwa, said the visit formed part of the Commission’s constitutional responsibility to evaluate states’ economic diversification efforts and strengthen collaboration on fiscal development.

The delegation expressed satisfaction with Delta State’s economic transformation initiatives and urged the government to sustain the momentum toward long-term fiscal stability and inclusive growth.