The Abia State Government has said its ongoing tax reforms are aimed at improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in revenue collection rather than increasing the tax burden on residents.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, stated this while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of Monday’s State Executive Council meeting.

Kanu said the reforms were part of the administration’s broader efforts to transform government institutions, processes and structures to improve service delivery.

According to him, the new tax administration system is designed to make revenue collection more transparent, traceable, auditable, automated and taxpayer-friendly.

He explained that the previous system relied heavily on manual processes, which created opportunities for middlemen, arbitrary practices and weak accountability.

“In the past, we had processes that were independently operated, leaving room for manual intervention, middleman cash handling, arbitrary practices of sorts, and poor accountability,” he said.

Kanu said the State Board of Internal Revenue was now automating and integrating its processes to address the shortcomings.

Under the new system, he explained, taxpayers would be able to know what they are being assessed to pay, the basis for the assessment and the exact amount required, while payments would be made through government-approved channels.

“Automation, therefore, is not a tax increment. Transparency is not a tax increment. Closing revenue leakages is not a tax increment,” Kanu said.

The commissioner acknowledged that the reforms had generated resistance in some quarters, particularly among individuals who benefited from the previous system.

He, however, said the government would continue to implement its tax policies in line with its understanding of taxation as the government’s share of the prosperity it creates for citizens.

N1m support for South Africa returnees

Kanu also disclosed that Governor Alex Otti had approved N1 million each for 31 verified Abia indigenes who recently returned from South Africa.

He said the funds were intended as interim support to help the returnees resettle while the government conducts a comprehensive assessment of their individual circumstances and needs.

According to him, the exercise would guide the development of appropriate programmes to support their reintegration into society.

Kanu added that the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection had been directed to determine whether any other Abia indigenes remained stranded in South Africa.

45 locations receive road maintenance

On road infrastructure, Kanu said direct-labour maintenance works had been carried out at 45 locations across the state since the previous Monday.

He disclosed that one project had been completed during the period, while no new project was added to the maintenance programme of the Ministry of Works.

The completed project was the routine maintenance of the seven-kilometre Akpa-Mbato-Abala Road in Obingwa Local Government Area.

Kanu said 26 roads were currently under contract, with the projects at different stages of completion.

He attributed delays at some construction sites to the ongoing rainy season but expressed optimism that work would accelerate once the rains subside.