Anambra plans tax education to help shore up IGR

---

---

By Madu Obi

The Anambra State government is to embark on proper education of prospective tax payers as part of measures to shore up the state's Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

The exercise will be carried out by the state Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, in collaboration with the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, AIRS.

The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, who spoke during a visit to the Chairman of AIRS, Mr Ikeazor Okonkwo, at the Revenue House, Awka, said the exercise would aim at achieving tax compliance and enforcement in the state.

“It has become very necessary to strengthen you, given the fact that people don't like paying taxes. So, instead of starting with enforcement, we should first talk to the people and persuade them before the enforcement, Mefor said.

According to him, many Anambra residents, especially in rural and informal sectors, lack adequate knowledge of taxation, adding that they have not been educated enough on the issues of tax.

He added: "Many people, particularly those in the informal sector, have quite a small economy. They have to be taught why their tax, no matter how small, is important to help the governor to deliver on the major projects and policies that will turn Anambra into one smart megacity.

When you see the level, the magnitude of work being done by the Solution Governor, you will see that money is, indeed, needed.

Anambra is not really a rich state and the fact that Governor Soludo is doing so much with so little, is born out of his intentional and transformational leadership and extremely prudent economic management.”

Mefor proposed a full-blown media campaign to educate the citizens, with a joint team of the ministry and AIRS staff to drive it.

In his response, the AIRS chairman observed that getting the people to carry out their tax obligations requires a two-pronged approach.

He explained that AIRS would not introduce new taxes or increase rates, but would implement existing laws, including the Nigerian Tax Act 2025.

"For us to get the kind of money that is required to execute projects that Mr Governor has excellently put together, people need to pay their taxes", Okonkwo said.