Stakeholders in Anambra State have extolled Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the judicious utilization of revenues generated locally in form of taxes, levies and fees across the state.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the people made the commendation during a public policy dialogue on Tax for Service Campaign organized in Awka by Social and Integral Development Centre, (SIDEC), in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC) under the Tax for Service Project, which is funded by Oxfam Nigeria.
They noted that the uncommon commitment to infrastructural development demonstrated by the government which the noted is encouraging more eligible citizens to pay their taxes.
One of them and chairman, Anambra Internal Revenue Service, (AiRS), Dr Greg Ezeilo, represented by Executive Director, Assessment, Ben Okafor, noted that SIDEC, host of Tax Justice and Governance Platform, has boosted government efforts through its intervention which primarily focused on advocacy, sensitization and awareness creation.
“We are fortunate to have a governor who is determined to manage our resources without borrowing. Every part of Anambra has experienced explosion in terms of infrastructure development and all are tied to taxes. From 1.5 billion monthly, we kept growing it and today, we can proudly say that we do above 4 billion on monthly basis.
“Last year, Anambra ranked about 13 in terms of internal revenue. But this year, with SIDEC on our side, and other partners, we believe that by end of this year, Anambra will be among the top five in Nigeria”.
In their goodwill messages, Mr Christian Udechukwu represented by Mazi Chuka Okeke and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market, Chief Evaristus Uba, represented by Director Market, Mr Francis Iloduba, affirmed the Tax for Service project remarkably contributed to the improved IGR profile of the state.
Prof Uche Nwogwugwu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka noted that the project has created trust and friendship between government and the citizens, hence the increased tax compliance, while the National Vice President, Anambra State Association of Town Union, ASATU, Hon. Ikechukwu Offorkansi, thanked SIDEC for its focal role in bridging the gap which had been responsible for tax apathy.
The Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, JONAPWD, Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, submitted that the enhanced accountability and transparency in government spending, and improvement in infrastructural development are worth celebrating.
The Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chief Innocent Ezeoha, remarked, “We didn’t believe in tax before but we began to change when government started being serious work across the state.
Executive Director, SIDEC, Mrs Ugochi Ehiahuruike, had earlier described the Tax for Service campaign as a game changer in the state, a development she attributed the success of the project to support and cooperation from government actors, traders and non-state actors.
“Internally generated revenue increased from 2.8 billion per month as at March, 2023 to 4.7 billion as at Jan. 2025. Policymakers, civil servants, and community leaders, civil society actors have demonstrated exceptional commitment, dedication, and leadership in driving the intervention.
According to her, the dialogue is to foster a collaborative environment where stakeholders can share experiences, exchange ideas, and explore ways to sustain gains made so far and scale up the tax for services intervention across the state.
“We also seek to identify areas for improvement and develop actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders. I am confident that together, we can create a brighter future for Anambra state and its citizens.
In a presentation on Tax Reform, Mr Ayo Omowu, Programme Manager, Taxation, Environment & Conservation of Nature, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), called for the passage of tax reform bills to address critical challenges in revenue generation, equity, and governance.
He noted that passage of the bills is a vital step for sustainable development and economic stability.
Omowu also called for improved collaboration between government, private sector and civil Society to promote tax compliance and transparency.
The session featured presentation of partnership awards and a panel session during which various issues affecting revenue collections in the state were addressed.
To sustain the recorded gains, participants called for complete digitization of revenue collection system, sustained sensitization for traders on reforms and programmes and blockage of all existing revenue leakages.
