Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has directed all MDAs and LGAs in the state to comply fully with Abia State Revenue Laws and the Abia State Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS) directives in order to achieve the much needed revenue for state development. He gave this charge last week when he met with members of the State IGR Council to express his concerns towards the current economic downturn in the country as it affects the State’s economy, given that a significant drop in FAAC disbursements is expected in the coming months.
While commending all stakeholders for their efforts in growing and sustaining the State’s revenue from N500million to the current sum of N1.5billion monthly, the Governor disclosed that the minimum amount of internally generated revenue required to run the state monthly is between N2.5billion to N3.5billion, and in order to attain this threshold, the need for government to be innovative, efficient, and proactive towards IGR growth cannot be overemphasized.
The Governor gave stern matching orders to the Council as it concerns revenue collection administration in the state and directed that planned innovations that will lead to the realisation of the N3billion targeted monthly revenue must be implemented immediately.
The Governor made no exceptions and warned that any MDA hiding any revenue source will be severely sanctioned.
He also mandated the State’s IRS to report all non-compliant MDAs by the end of May, including MDAs that refuse to accept an ABIRS desk officer at their Ministries, emphasising that any personnel involved would be redeployed immediately.
He also made compliance to the set standards of the ABIRS as provided by the Law a condition pre-requisite for any appointment to leadership roles in any MDA in the State.
Finally, the Governor reiterated his commitment and resolve to ensure attainment of the State’s IGR target for the continuing growth and development of the state and welfare of the citizens, and will, therefore, not tolerate any kind of encumbrances from anyone.
The meeting had in attendance, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State IGR Council, Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr Chris Ezem, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Uche Ihediwa, Commissioner for Finance, Dr Aham Uko, Deputy Chief of Staff, Permanent Secretaries, and Accountant General among other top government functionaries.