Abia Ministry Of Local Government To Partner FIRS For Tax Awareness Campaign

The Honourable Commissioner for Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, has pledged the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in promoting tax awareness and compliance across Abia State.

Prince Nwachukwu made this assurance while receiving a delegation of FIRS officials, led by Dr. Mustapha, Director of Operations, FIRS Umuahia, during a courtesy visit to his office at the JAAC Building Complex, Ogurube Layout, Umuahia.

The Commissioner clarified that the Ministry’s primary functions are supervisory and oversight in nature, not contract awards. He noted that the only contract executed by the Ministry was the completion of the JAAC Secretariat Building and its access road projects inherited from the previous administration and completed through the leadership of Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, with all due taxes duly remitted to FIRS.

He further explained that the Otti led administration largely adopts a direct labour approach for state projects, a model also embraced by council mayors in renovating offices, hospitals, and schools. He assured the visiting team that the Ministry’s doors remain open for collaboration whenever the need arises.

Speaking earlier, Dr. Mustapha . A said the purpose of the visit was to seek partnership with the Ministry in organizing a sensitization workshop for stakeholders including local and state government representatives, the private sector, contractors, and all taxable individuals on the importance of paying taxes promptly.

He emphasized that FIRS, as a federal agency, is mandated to boost national revenue generation. He called on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) handling tax collections to remit taxes such as Stamp Duty, Value Added Tax (VAT), and Withholding Tax from contractors to the FIRS office for onward remittance to the Federal Government. Dr. Mustapha clarified that local government councils themselves are not income tax payers, but contractors executing projects for them must comply with tax obligations.

He further encouraged taxable individuals to declare their assets and pay taxes as at when due, noting that funds generated by FIRS are returned to the state and local governments through the Federation Account.

Contributing, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Lady Oge Maduka, Esq., stated that a date would soon be fixed for the proposed workshop, during which FIRS officials would educate the public on Stamp Duty, VAT, and Withholding Tax.

In a vote of thanks, Mr. Space Salami, DDT, FIRS, appreciated the Ministry’s management especially the Honourable Commissioner for granting them an audience, and prayed for continued wisdom to pilot the Ministry’s affairs.