Akwa Ibom seeks improvement in IGR collection

Akwa Ibom State government has begun moves to boost its internally generated revenue (IGR) by engaging with the major companies operating in the state with the view to ensuring they pay the correct taxes.

It has recently engaged a new revenue consultant and has seen its IGR gone up to about N2 billion monthly.

Akan Okon, commissioner for finance, said in Uyo, the state capital, that the essence of the new tax policy was to ensure that both civil servants and corporate organisations see tax payment as a civil responsibility required by law that would enable the state improve the standard of living of the people by the provision of basic social amenities.

“The source of revenue to the government comes from the federal allocation and internally generated revenue. Taxes are required so that government can meet its obligation to the people and ensure that the standard of living of the people can be improved,’’ he said.

The commissioner, who spoke against the criticism that had trailed the introduction of the new personal income tax, explained that payment of taxes was mandatory, adding that many countries of the world that do not have resources depended on taxes for as major source of revenue.

“You can clearly see what the state government is doing with its revenue, it is touching the health sector and embarking on industrialisation,’’ he said.

The commissioner, who explained that the state government did not go for the Federal Government bailout fund to be used in the payment of salaries, reiterated the commitment of the state to meet its obligations to civil servants and pensioners as of when due, maintaining that it was the desire of the state government to pay salaries on or before 24 of every month.

ANNIEFIOK UDONQUAK