By Chizoba Okeke
A bill seeking to establish a clear, transparent and technology driven framework for the collection of taxes and levies in Anambra State has successfully scaled its first and second readings at today’s plenary session of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The bill, Anambra State Taxes, Levies and Presumptive Tax (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2025, is designed to regulate and streamline tax and levy collection by the Anambra State Government and its Local Government Councils, in line with best practices and national fiscal reforms.
Leading the debate, the Majority Leader and sponsor of the bill, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, said the legislation aims to harmonize tax administration at the subnational level through a transparent, accountable and technology enabled system. He noted that the bill aligns with the national aspiration for a simplified, single-digit tax regime that encourages voluntary compliance and promotes economic growth.
Ofodeme explained that the bill seeks to eliminate multiple taxation and illegal collections across the state, while promoting electronic payment systems to enhance accountability, transparency and effective revenue monitoring. He added that the proposed law would also block revenue leakages and curb illegal tax practices, including unauthorised roadblocks mounted by tax agents and non-state actors.
Contributing to the debate, the Minority Leader, Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi, alongside the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, commended the bill, describing it as timely and critical to restoring order, fairness and sanity in Anambra State’s revenue collection system.
Chizoba is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
