Ugwuanyi reconstitutes revenue board, mandates members to plug revenue leakages

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday inaugurated the
newly-reconstituted  State Board of Internal Revenue and charged the
members to come up with new and effective  strategies aimed at beefing
up the State’s revenue base in view of the present daunting economic
challenges in the country.
Lagos-based banker and luxury real estate operator, Mr. Chukwuemeka
Anthony Odo, who is the chairman of Bluewaters Capital is the chairman
of the Enugu revenue board and pledged on behalf of other members of
the new board to work diligently operate a leak-proof revenue
generation system for the state shore up its economy.
While inaugurating the board at the Government House, Enugu yesterday,
Governor Ugwuanyi explained that the charge on the members to work
hard on their assignment has become necessary in the face of the
severe economic depression that is threatening the solvency of
government at all levels.
He  noted that how well the new board  plays its role was  crucial to
the economic wellbeing of the State government and by extension that
of the people of Enugu Sate.
He observed that with the receipts from the federation account
dwindling rapidly, most State governments have become increasingly
dependent on internally generated revenue to fund their activities and
service their obligations.
“ Government as a result of the current economic condition, is
struggling to meet its financial commitments to pay salaries, fund
development activities, ensure social services and maintain security,
among others”, the governor stated.
Governor Ugwuanyi pointed out that he had earlier envisaged this
situation when he warned in his inaugural speech that revenue
generation agencies should be ready to intensify efforts to generate
more revenues to fund government’s developments efforts.
He equally charged members of the board to ensure that all revenues
accruable to government are fully collected and all avenues of
leakages are effectively checked. The governor then called on
individuals and corporate bodies not to fail in their obligations to
pay their taxes.
He promised that every kobo that accrues to government will be fully
utilized transparently and in a manner that will transform the life of
every citizen of Enugu State.
On his part, Odo, a former executive director of the defunct
Intercontinental Bank Plc,  stated that their appointment came at a
time when the crashed oil price has affected the economic fortunes of
the country negatively, and assured that they will explore and exploit
all sources of internally generated revenue to ensure that government
meets its obligations to the people.
According to Mr Odo, members of the Board will ensure that all taxable
persons in the State are given the opportunity to perform their civic
obligations, while equally exploiting technology to block  leakages so
that all government revenues be fully collected.
Other members of the board include Mr Chucks Onodugo member
representing Enugu Westsenatorial zone, Mr Jude Sunday Egbo,
representing Enugu East zone, Barr Joseph Onuoha, representing Enugu
North senatorial zone, and Mrs Chinasa Perpetuul Awkadigwe, a lawyer
who would serve as  secretary to the board. End