Photo credit: Internal Revenue Commission PNG - Revenue Haus in Port Moresby
The Internal Revenue Commission has collected a record revenue of K15 billion for the public purse this year, according to Prime Minister, James Marape.
In a media statement PM Marape has commended the management and staff of Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) for being an exemplary public service organization whose performance, he said, has been improving year after year in the work they do with increasing revenue collection for the country.
The Prime Minister said this during an event he officiated yesterday for the launch of the organisation’s 2022 Work Plan and 5-Year Corporate Plan.
“ICR, thank you very much for another successful year. I say thank you to you all – from the management down to the staff, every one of you who make this organisation functional,” said the Prime Minister.
“Thank you for putting together a K15 billion revenue this year.
“In 2021, without the oil price increase, you collected about K270 million for our country.
“In 2020 during the COVID-19 year, when the entire planet shut down, you collected over 100 percent, beyond what we asked of you to collect.
“This is an indication to the country that IRC is not sleeping but has been working. Your performance speaks for itself. Numbers do not lie.
“It is also an indication to all government departments that the organization that makes money takes precedence. We must support them.”
Prime Minister Marape assured IRC that his Government would fully support its 2023 work plan and that he was looking forward to seeing the implementation of the 5-year strategic plan so that as PNG celebrates its 50th anniversary as a country in several years, IRC would have matured into a dynamic organisation carrying forward the country through the revenue it collects.
“We want our country to be bigger and better in terms of Education, Health, Law & Order, Infrastructure, and Economy. These five things we want to focus on. I look forward to supporting you as we deliver these.”
He said in delivering the corporate plan, IRC must endeavor to abide by these three rules – firmness (corporate and individual citizens to abide by the laws), fairness (all taxpaying citizens to be treated with fairness), and friendliness (tax-collecting business to be handled in a cordial atmosphere).
“I look forward to the time when IRC will bring those in the black economy into the formal economy to ensure that we all pay our fair share of dues.
“We must all work to leave behind a legacy in our country. Appreciate your place and the job you have today. Look at what you must do, for your country in the big picture. There is no one else placed to make your country better but you.
"You will deliver in 2023, you will deliver in 2024; I look forward to the time when IRC becomes a robust organisation that collects all revenue required by law,” said PM Marape.
The Prime Minister said regarding housing for IRC staff, his government is currently setting aside K10 million for an housing program that would assist government workers to own a house. This is to assist with job security, so IRC staff concentrate on doing a good job in delivering the organisation’s plans and making more money for the country.
