By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
A bill for an Act to provide for the consolidation, administration and collection of all revenue due to State and local governments in Anambra State has passed through second reading on the floor of the state House of Assembly.
The bill also seeks for the establishment of relevant administrative structures and provide for related matters.
The 2024 budget estimate presented by Governor Chukwuma Soludo also passed through second reading.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Chief Jude Akpua, through order 14, rule 74:1 of the house order, sought the permission of the assembly to proceed with the second reading of the Revenue Administration bill.
According to Hon. Akpua who is the member representing Njikoka Constituency II, revenue was the bedrock of any administration and so the right structures had to be put in place.
Supporting the bill, the Chief Whip and member representing Ihiala Constituency one, Hon Jude Ngobili, his Anambra West counterpart, Hon. Patrick Udoba and the member representing Orumba South Constituency, Hon. Emma Nwafor, in their separate submissions, maintained that the bill when passed, would enhance the consolidation of revenue collection in Anambra state which will lead to the growth of Internally Generated Revenue.
According to the lawmakers, harmonization of the process will eliminate touting because a lot of people are collecting revenue without giving account to government.
The Speaker of the House, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze who presided over the plenary, later referred the bill to the House Committees on IGR and urged them to report back to the house in two weeks time.
The House adjourned till Tuesday December 5th 2023 for plenary.
Photo: Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly.
Send your press invite, news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @PrimetimeRepor1 and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526.
