Gov. Uzodinma Signs Imo State Revenue Administration Bill 2020 Into Law

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has assented to the amendment to Imo State Revenue Administration Law 2020 as part of efforts to develop the economy of the state.

The Imo State governor while speaking after the law was signed noted that the law will improve the revenue base of the state by reducing multiple consultants who siphon the state treasury.

Governor Uzodinma who stated his views on the law before it was amended said: “Before now, the law provides for consultants that collect 10% of the total revenue, 10% goes to the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), 20% to ENTRACO and 10% to OCDA. At the end of the month, 50% of the IGR is gone, leaving the state with only 50% of the internally generated revenue collected.”

The Governor noted that the previous law in violation of the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended.

He revealed that the new law will empower the Board of Internal Revenue to spend 5% of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the payment of salaries of their workers and other personnel services.

Uzodinma affirmed that this expenditure will be subject to appropriation by the State House of Assembly.

He added that with the amendment, the state now stands to gain more as 95% of the total IGR will go directly to the state coffers as against the 50% which was the old order.

The Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Chiji Collins while speaking said the law before its amendment, which is similar to Lagos State Revenue Law, has not benefitted the state in terms of its operation.

Collins noted that half of the generated IGR of the state goes to consultants at the detriment of the State.

The Speaker said, will reduce the volume of money that the state loses through consultancy, “We have enough manpower to do the job. What we agreed with the Executive is to allow the Board of Internal Revenue take 5% of the revenue generated which will be used for salaries and personnel cost of the agency with the appropriation that will come from the House of Assembly before the fund will be used.”

He further stated that the state House of Assembly is not after witch-hunting any individual or agency, but to make laws that will boost the revenue of the state.