Imo Govt Urges Accountability, Effective Revenue System

The Imo State government has called for a more accountable, transparent and efficient revenue system that will encourage active participation from traders, youths, artisans and other residents of the state.

Governor Hope Uzodimma, who was represented by his deputy, Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting in Owerri, organised by the Imo State Internal Revenue Service (IIRS).

Speaking at the event themed, “Driving the OCORA (One Community, One Revenue Agent) Initiative”, the governor emphasised the need for collective commitment towards building a sustainable revenue framework capable of driving development across the state.

He noted that every citizen has a role to play in supporting government revenue initiatives, stressing that there should be no room for leakages, inefficiency or excuses in the revenue collection process.

The governor stated that an accountable and efficient revenue system will ensure that resources generated by the state are properly utilised for the benefit of the people, especially in the provision of critical infrastructure and social services.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, economic growth, and prudent management of public resources, assuring stakeholders that the administration remains focused on ensuring that every tax and revenue collected is directed towards projects and programmes that improve the lives of Imo people.

Earlier, the chairman of IIRS, Mr Justice Okoye, said the OCORA initiative is a community-based tax administration model introduced to operationalise the presumptive tax regime.

He informed that it is aimed at simplifying and strengthening tax collection within the informal sector.

“Rather than depending on distant, centralised systems, the OCORA initiative distributes tax collection responsibilities across the communities itself.

“It entrusts this responsibility to Revenue Agents — individuals who either belong to the community or understand it intimately,” he stated.

These agents, he said, serve as vital connectors with taxpayers in the informal sector, helping to drive revenue generation.

Others who spoke during the meeting included Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie; Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Hon. Rex Anunobo; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ruby Emele; Commissioner for Entrepreneurship, Skill Acquisition and Social Responsibility, Hon. Chinonye Love-Moses and Hon. Paul Chijioke Duru. They all joined in calling for a responsive revenue drive in both urban and rural areas to support the development of the state.