ABIA GOVT TO RE-LAUNCH STATE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

A social protection and inclusion of the citizenry in Abia State tagged: “The Abia State Social Identification Number (ABSSIN)” is to be re-launched by the state government.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, announced this in a pre-re-launch press conference held at the Government House, Umuahia.

Prince Kanu said the initiative was part of efforts of the present administration towards improving the welfare of the people.

According to the Commissioner, the government has recorded many achievements in all sectors of the economy in the last nine months, assuring that government is poised to do more.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike, explained that ABSSIN would form the source of data for economic planning as well as data base for accessing social benefits from the state.

For his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Mr. Chimeremeze Okigbo, explained that the government was interested in the economic planning of the state, stressing that the ABSSIN would help in physical security of the people living in the state.

Also, the Chairman Abia State Internal Revenue Services (ABIRS), Professor Udochukwu Ogbonna, said all indigenes and residents of Abia State should have the number, describing it as the account number of every citizen in the state.

Professor Ogbonna, who enumerated some of the benefits of ABSSIN, urged the residents to register via Abiapay online or at any BIR office in the local government areas or ministries.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU