Abia Targets N9.7bn IGR, This Year …Engages Revenue Consultant

The Abia State Government has contracted collection of its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to a private financial consultant, Infiniti Segment LTD.

Abia State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Ezeogo Jones Udeogu, made this known to newsmen in his office in Umuahia, Tuesday, adding that the Infiniti Segment LTD, a reputable company that has done well in revenue generation in Lagos and Imo states, has been approved to commence work since February 1, 2010.

He said the firm was expected to generate more than N1 billion monthly for the state.

The state expects to generate N9.7 billion from IGR this year as contained in the 2010 budget estimates still before the House of Assembly.

The firm is expected to introduce a system of new revenue collection which would be based on Abia State Government Electronic Banking System of Revenue Management, which uses automated revenue receipts (ARR) and machine readable tax clearance certificate (TCC).

The Commissioner said that the consultants have a year probation period after which they would be assessed and if they fail to meet the set target, they would be disengaged, adding that their fees would be based on the excess of the target for each month.

The commissioner said that henceforth, everything concerning revenue generation for the state government would now be handled by the new consultant.

According to him, the new system would help curtail printing of fake receipts and tax documents by unscrupulous persons as well as check fraudulent government officials who collude with bank officials to defraud the government.

The South East facilitator of the revenue agency, Prince Obinna Nwawuike, said the firm would embark on enumeration of tax payers among government workers and residents in the state, adding that enlightenment programme would be carried out among members of the public. He maintained that the new system would not cost government extra money.