Revenue Administration Bill Passes Second Reading

Revenue Administration Bill 2015 Passes Second Reading

A bill seeking to make provisions for effective collection and administration of revenue due to Akwa Ibom state government and local government councils in the state has passed through a second reading in the House of Assembly.

Titled “A bill for a law to make provision for the administration and collection of Revenue due to the government of Akwa Ibom state and to establish the relevant administrative structures and other matters connected there with”, the executive bill when passed into law will boost the revenue profile of the state.

Deliberating on the bill during plenary today, House members who were unanimous in their support for the bill, argued that it has become necessary for the state to look inwards by devicing means to improve on its internally generated revenue collection especially as oil revenues are dwindling.

Leading debate on the bill, the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Udo Kierian Akpan, explained that the bill is not seeking to scrap the state Internal Revenue Service, but that it is intended to inject more professional hands into the revenue management system while encouraging efficiency.

“The bill is principally intended to set up a framework to ensure the proper administration of internal revenue of Akwa Ibom state. This bill is not seeking to scrap the Internal Revenue Service, but it is seeking to ensure that there is a proper and effective administration of our revenue and the job is to be carried out by professionals”.

The lawmaker hinted that the bill also seeks to give the revenue collection and administration body in the state a self-accounting status, explained that staff would be exposed to more professional training and re-training. He noted that following the current state of affairs in the nation's economy, it was pertinent that Akwa Ibom state should not be depending solely on oil revenue from the federal government, hence the need to boost the IGR of the state through the passage of the bill. 

Also contributing, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly and member representing ONNA, Hon. Otuekong Nse Essien, pointed out that an increase in revenue to the state would translate to an increase in the tempo of development in the state, and urged his colleagues to support the bill.

The lawmaker said: “This bill seeks to plug some loopholes in the revenue collection system. It also seeks to establish a 13-man managerial structure, comprising of professionals. Mr. Speaker, the government desires to look inwards into its revenue drive to fill the gap arising from the current economic situation."

On his part, the member representing Essien Udim, Hon. Nse Ntuen, argued on the need for the House to closely monitor the activities of those that will be serving on the board of the revenue agency to ensure that the good intentions of government are achieved. 

Others spoke in favour of the revenue administration bill including, the Chief Whip, Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Toby, Hon. Mrs. Mfon Ekong and Hon. Mark Esset. They were unanimous in their support for the speedy passage of the bill by the House. They noted that the sustainable development agenda of the present administration can only succeed with adequate funding, and commended the idea behind the bill which they described as timely. The lawmakers noted that since the governor emerged, a lot of revenue has been recovered.

Reacting, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, while commending members for their support, committed the bill to the House committee on Appropriation and Finance for indepth study and further legislative actions. 

The committee is given one week to report back to the House.