The Abia State Government has clarified that its current tax reforms are designed to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue collection, rather than increase the tax burden on residents. The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made this known while briefing reporters at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of Monday's State Executive Council meeting.
Reforms Focus on Automation and Transparency
Mr Kanu stated that the reforms are part of the present administration's broader transformation of government institutions, processes, and structures to deliver better services to the people. He emphasized that the reforms focus on making tax administration more transparent, traceable, auditable, automated, and taxpayer-friendly.
“In the past, we had processes that were independently operated, leaving room for manual intervention, middleman cash handling, arbitrary practices of sorts, and poor accountability. The new system under operation seeks to close this gap and under the new system, the State Board of Internal Revenue is automating and integrating the processes,” Mr Kanu said.
He added that the automation would enable taxpayers to know exactly what they are being assessed to pay, why they are being assessed, and how much they are required to pay through government-approved channels. “Automation, therefore, is not a tax increment. Transparency is not a tax increment. Closing revenue leakages is not a tax increment,” he stressed.
Resistance to Change and Government's Stance
The commissioner acknowledged that the reforms have naturally attracted resistance from some sections of society. He pointed out that people, particularly those benefiting from the old system, often resist change. However, he said the state government would continue to administer taxes in line with the present administration's definition of taxation as government's share of the prosperity it created for the citizenry.
Interim Support for Returnees from South Africa
In a separate development, Mr Kanu disclosed that the governor had approved the disbursement of N1 million each to 31 verified Abia returnees from South Africa as interim support to enable them to resettle. He described the assistance as part of the governor's compassionate approach to governance and commitment to the welfare of Abia people.
He said a comprehensive profiling is ongoing to determine the specific needs and circumstances of the returnees. The outcome of the exercise will guide the development of appropriate programmes to support their reintegration into society. He further stated that the commissioner for poverty alleviation and social protection has been directed to ascertain whether any individuals of Abia origin are still stranded in South Africa.
Road Infrastructure Updates
On road infrastructure, the commissioner said that direct-labour works had been carried out at 45 locations across the state since the last Monday. He noted that one project was completed during the period under review, while no new project was added to the maintenance basket of the Ministry of Works. Mr Kanu identified the completed project as routine maintenance on the seven-kilometre Akpa-Mbato-Abala Road in Obingwa Local Government Area.
He added that 26 roads are currently under contract, with many at various stages of completion. He attributed the slow pace of work at some sites to the rainy season, expressing optimism that construction activities would pick up once the rains abated.
