The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has set an ambitious target of generating N10 billion in monthly income from tax payments.This goal was revealed by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of AIRS, Dr. Greg Ezeilo, during the Grand Finale of the Schools Tax Quiz Competition held for private secondary schools in the state at the Conference Hall of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Awka.
Dr. Ezeilo explained that the AIRS has developed a technological framework aimed at achieving this revenue target. He also expressed optimism that, in the coming years, all taxable adults in the state would willingly pay their taxes, just as is common in many advanced countries.
In her remarks, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on IGR (Technical), Mrs. Kate Amara Oyeka, highlighted the significance of the tax quiz competition, which was initiated to educate secondary school students on the importance of tax payment. She emphasized that the goal was to instill a culture of voluntary tax compliance in students so that, in 10 to 15 years, they would be fully committed to paying their taxes without coercion.
Mrs. Oyeka reiterated that paying taxes is a civic responsibility that directly contributes to the development of the state, ensuring that taxpayers would never face harassment or over-taxation.
The Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Chris Molokwu, also pledged to use the state’s media platforms to further educate the public on the importance of timely tax payment, noting that taxes are essential for driving development in all sectors.
The event’s highlight was the presentation of certificates to the top three winners of the tax quiz competition. Lady Hannah Model Secondary School, Awada, Obosi, emerged as the overall winner, with Grace Court Secondary School, Awka, and Marist Comprehensive Secondary School, Nteje, securing second and third positions, respectively.
Chief Ernest Ezeajughi, the Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo, who represented the Governor at the event, presented the trophy to Lady Hannah Model Secondary School and commended the AIRS management for its efforts in improving tax revenue collection.https://1c63eaf95d4a8f95655a446ff744e576.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html?n=0
Ezeajughi encouraged AIRS to aim for a target of at least N20 billion in the next fiscal year to support Governor Soludo’s vision of transforming Anambra into a mega city. He highlighted the state’s achievements, including the construction of over 5,000 kilometers of roads and the employment of more than 5,000 teachers and health workers.
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He also mentioned that Soludo’s administration is relying on increased tax revenue to support key initiatives, such as providing free education from primary to secondary school levels and offering free prenatal and cesarean operations for pregnant women in the state. Ezeajughi urged all taxable adults in Anambra to voluntarily pay their taxes to help the government achieve these goals without resorting to borrowing.
Source :Vanguard
