Abia bans use of revenue agents

Abia State Government has banned the use of agents for revenue collection with effect from 2017, according to an official statement.
The statement, signed by Dep. Gov. Ude Oko Chukwu, in Umuahia on Friday, said that the measure was taken to boost the state’s internally generated revenue.
The statement read in part, “the Abia State Government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure an increase in its internally generated revenue from the 2017 fiscal year.
“To this effect, the state has banned the use of agents as revenue collectors in the state.’’
The deputy governor, who is also the Chairman of the state’s internally generated revenue council, further said that the policy did not give room for the appointment of agents.
“This is to inform all concerned that the IGR policy of the state did not provide for the appointment of revenue agents.
“Ministries, departments and agencies of the government are by this notice directed not to appoint any agent for 2017, as the Abia State Government will not be held liable for any contravention,’’ he said.
Chukwu specifically admonished residents of Umuahia and the commercial town of Aba not to have anything to do with any revenue agents.
He directed the people of Abia, particularly residents of Aba and Umuahia, to desist from paying any revenue agent or consultant who claimed to be acting on behalf of the state.