Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to mandate the Chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) to continue the streamlining of the processes of billing and easy collection of taxes and accountability as well as to collaborate with media houses on continuous public awareness on tax.
Chief sponsor of the motion Hon. Chidi Ibemeka in his submission stated that in view of numerous projects being carried out by the Soludo administration, there is need for concerted effort to grow the internally generated revenue of the state through proper billing and collection of revenue, to enable the state government to continuously and timely fund all the numerous ongoing projects in the State for the benefit of ndi Anambra.
Hon. Ibemeka who is the member representing Njikoka one constituency maintained that some non-state actors claiming to be working for the government of Anambra State are now collecting revenues with fake receipts from business owners and traders for their personal gain.
” Continuous streamlining of tax processes of billing and collection with constant public awareness through Anambra State Broadcasting Service and other media houses will go a long way to make it easier for citizens to pay their taxes promptly and reduce diversion of revenue to private accounts and cash transactions.
” The progress of any government is majorly dependent on tax revenue. It is a very vital sector of this government and for governor Soludo to complete all the infrastructurural project in the state.
” There is need to have a deeper understanding of the importance to pay tax and the processes of billing should be simplified because there are non state actors in Njikoka local government who collect taxes without proper account.
” When tax payers know the reasons why they should pay and more explanation made for the processes of payment, their would be tax compliance which is the reason for tax education.
” Their are some persons who use the name of government to expliot street traders on cash payment. This is unacceptable.
” It is the duty of revenue administrators to explain the importance of tax payment and the uses’. Ibemeka submitted
Supporting the motion, Hon. Ebuka Igwe, Hon. Emma Nwafor, Chief Whip Hon. Jude Ngobili, Majority Leader Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, Hon. Kingsley Udemezue, Chuks Azotani, Hon. Augustine Ike, Deputy Majority Hon. Jude Akpua, Hon. Nkechi Oguefi all spoke in favor of the motion.
According to the lawmakers, Their are a lot of lekages. The state government introduced how to pay on ATM mechine but still some people are moving around with receipt.
“Anybody carrying recept should be arrested. Their are laws that on revenue collection in Anambra state.
” Awearness is one of the easiest way of making people to know that paying of tax is a responsobility.
” Workshop, seminars, conference between the revenue chairman and the traders, transport unions should be organized.
” Ignorance is not an excuse. Contact numbers should be given as a means of communication. The Anti-tout campaign lunched by the Governor is to end illegal tax payment.
” Their are a lot of fake recipts in Nkwo Nnewi and Idemili North LGA’s. Too many extortion and stelling. People are been maltreated and beaten all in the name of revenue collection.
” The tax collectors need to be given reorientation.
Anambra Speaker Hon. Somto Udeze while commending the mover of the motion said the executive is fighting hard to end the manace of illegal collection. Using the name of government to collect revenue is not acceptable and should not be encouraged.
“There is every need for the state government to encourage proper channel of communicating to ndi Anambra on the agents collecting this money unbehave of the state and also for the people to know the actual rate to be paid. Every means should be used to communicate to ndi Anambra.
The setting was adjourned to Thursday October 26, 2023
