- SEEKS DATABASE OF ALL SHOPS, MASSIVE TAX CAMPAIGN TO BOOST ANAMBRA IGR
By Rose Oranye and Ogochukwu Eze
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, has charged the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) to be aggressive in revenue drive but avoid taxing businesses to death.
Mefor gave the charge when the Corporate Communications Unit of AIRS led by Lynda Chioma Okoye, with Umeh Onyinye Charity, Chinwe Enemchukwu and Paschal Blaise Eme, visited him on Thursday, October 29, 2026, to sustain partnership with the ministry.
According to him, AIRS occupies a pivotal place in the state’s economy as Governor Chukwuma Soludo pursues legacy projects like Awka 2.0, Ekwulobia Flyover City, Airport City, New Niger City to decongest Onitsha, Awka City Park, the Marriott Hotel, over 900km of roads with about 750km tarred, and regeneration of Onitsha Main Market for delivery in December, alongside sustenance of free education and free antenatal/delivery.
He said that Anambra’s IGR remained one of the lowest in the South-East, almost half of Enugu’s despite higher potentials, blaming poor tax education, failure to enforce cashless collection leading to leakages, and lack of comprehensive database.
“Every lock-up shop must be taxed and must have a Tax Identification Number,” Mefor said, urging AIRS to capture over 10,000 traders in Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja, Ose, Nnewi, Nkpor and every market in the state, and to recruit ad hoc staff for enumeration if needed.
The commissioner noted that people will pay willingly when they see evidence of their tax, citing Soludo’s open government policy, online publication of contracts, 48-hour grievance resolution dashboards, and a 79% capital, 21% recurrent budget.
Mefor pledged to resubmit a proposal for a massive statewide tax enlightenment campaign, stressing that tax is the number one civic responsibility and that with only three effective years left, AIRS must automate, block leakages and intensify campaigns to enable the governor deliver without borrowing.
Earlier, Okoye said the visit was to consolidate the cordial relationship established during the Commissioner’s visit to AIRS and to set up a joint media team to follow up, noting that the AIRS Chairman remains committed to collaboration despite his tight schedule.
