The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Amara Oyeka, on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), has revealed that the state monthly IGR increased from N2.2 million in 2023 to N5.2 billion in 2024.
Oyeka disclosed this on Thursday during the presentation and validation of the research activity carried out in 21 major markets across the state.
The exercise was performed in the three senatorial zones of the state under the Tax for Service Project implemented by the Tax Justice and Governance Platform in Anambra State in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, with funding support from Oxfam Nigeria.
According to Oyeka, the result was achieved against all odds as many rich citizens of the state do not love to pay taxes, while a larger chunk of what is collected is diverted into private pockets.
While noting that the state is on course, the SSA called for sustained partnership of all stakeholders towards ensuring that the state gets what is due to it on a monthly basis, lamenting a situation that revenue collectors have become richer than the state due to laxity and loopholes in the system.
Oyeka said, “The state monthly IGR increased from N2.2 million in 2023 to N5.2 billion in 2024. You then have a situation where revenue collectors are richer than the government.
“Most of the guys spoiling the government’s reputation are not working for us. We are doing more work than they do in other states, but the leakages are too many. Some of the tax collectors are richer than government. We are working to address all issues.
“This is a work in progress and we shall get there. Everybody here, take my number and I take your numbers, let us collaborate. Help us to sanitise the system as we can’t do it alone. As citizens we should understand that the higher the revenue, the higher your power to demand public goods”.
The Executive Director, Social and Integral Development Centre, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, explained that the T4S project was designed to bridge the gap between taxpayers and service providers, fostering transparency, accountability, and improved public trust in governance structures.u
Ehiahuruike, the host of the Tax Justice and Governance Platform in the state, said the implementation of the Tax for Service Project in the state will guide strategic interventions to improve tax compliance and public service outcomes.
“Today, we gather to present and validate the research findings on the implementation of the Tax for Service Project in Anambra State, which will guide strategic interventions to improve tax compliance and public service outcomes.
“Your participation and input are invaluable in ensuring the project’s success and alignment with local realities”, Ehiahuruike added.
Also speaking, the Vice President, Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Ikechukwu Offorkansi, promised sustained support for the government in its revenue drive.
Offorkansi said, “However, we need to protect taxpayers from multiple taxation which had characterized the system in the past. Let’s put the past behind us and move on”.
The Chairman, Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Dr Greg Ezeilo, represented by the Director of Taxes and Head of Department, Assessment, Herbert Ofomata, noted that the current revenue profile of the state is not a true reflection of its realities.
“The market financial worth in Anambra is very high but the government is not getting the revenue. Our strength is in the market. Very soon, from Onitsha to Awka will be a market on both sides. Markets are our oil well in the state. We need to pay attention to markets to fund public services”.
