BILL TO CONSOLIDATE REVENUE COLLECTION IN ANAMBRA PASSES 2ND READING

REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE

A bill for a law to provide for the consolidation, administration and collection of all revenue due to the state and local governments in Anambra State, has passed second reading before the state House of Assembly.

The bill also seeks for the establishment of relevant administrative structures and provide for related matters.

The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Jude Akpua, through order 14, rule 74:1 of the house order, sought the permission of the assembly to proceed with the second reading of the Revenue Administration bill.

According to Mr. Akpua, who is the member representing Njikoka Constituency two,
noted that “revenue is the bed rock of any administration and so the right structures have to be put in place.”

Supporting the bill, the Chief Whip and member representing Ihiala Constituency one, Mr Jude Ngobili; his Anambra West counterpart, Mr. Patrick Udoba; and the member representing Orumba South Constituency, Mr. Emma Nwafor in their separate submissions maintained that the bill, when passed, would enhance the consolidation of revenue collection in Anambra State, which would lead to the growth of Internally Generated Revenue.
According to the lawmakers, harmonization of the process would eliminate touting because a lot of people are collecting revenue without giving account to government.

The Speaker of the House, Mr. Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided over the Wednesday plenary, later referred the bill to the house committee on IGR and urged them to report backup to the house in two weeks time.

Meanwhile, the 2024 budget estimate presented by Governor Chukwuma Soludo also passed through second reading.

The House adjourned until uTuesday December 5th 2023 for plenary.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU