80% of Abia IGR unaccounted for by agents -Gov. Orji

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has lamented that over 80 per cent of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue is unaccounted for by dubious revenue collection agents who sometimes connive with corrupt government officials to fleece public funds.

Orji who made the revaluation in Umuahia at the maiden Abia State Revenue Summit however, noted that the new tax regime introduced by his government would plug all “drainage pipes” by fraudulent agents to siphon public funds.

The visibly angry Governor explained that what the dubious revenue agents did was to simply secure government approval “to collect levies, taxes and revenues and then adopt all kinds of draconian method to collect them.”

Orji expressed dissatisfaction with the mode of operations of the revenue agents saying they lacked human face and civility.

He warned that government would no longer condone their excesses following the public outcry their exploitative actions had generated.

The Governor argued that even though government needed money for developmental projects, the citizenry should not be subjected to slavery and other colonial servitudes to achieve that.

He, therefore enjoined participants at the summit to evolve “a tax blue print that would be acceptable and workable.”

His words: “We want the taxes paid without grudging; it is not the intention of government to impose levies, but having given me your mandate I have to ameliorate your suffering.

“When I heard the cry of Abia people especially from Aba and Umuahia I responded immediately by stopping all forms of taxes and levies.”

Orji held that the people were right to protest the outrageous levies, fees and revenues charged by the fraudulent agents, vowing to prosecute all perpetrators henceforth.

He also appealed to the people to refrain from the unpatriotic habit of tax evasion common during colonial era, assuring that his government will continue to justify every public fund through identifiable projects.

Speaking earlier, Finance Commissioner, Dr. Philips Nto, said government was investigating some sub-treasuries in connection with revenue fraud, adding that with dwindling oil prices government could no longer depend on only allocations from Abuja.

He said the ongoing reform in the sector would help secure pension funds through e-payment, saying the policy has come to stay.

Why not arrest the agents?

Our governor knows what to do,he is the man with wit