The Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, has urged the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) to intensify its revenue generation efforts while ensuring that businesses are not subjected to excessive taxation.
Mefor gave the charge on Thursday, October 29, 2026, when members of the AIRS Corporate Communications Unit, led by Lynda Chioma Okoye, visited him to strengthen collaboration between the agency and the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation.
The commissioner described AIRS as a critical institution in the state’s economic development, noting that increased internally generated revenue would support the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo in delivering its infrastructure and social development programmes.
He listed major projects and initiatives of the administration, including Awka 2.0, Ekwulobia Flyover City, Airport City, New Niger City, Awka City Park, the Marriott Hotel project, road construction and the regeneration of Onitsha Main Market.
He also highlighted the government’s commitment to sustaining free education and free antenatal and delivery services.
Expressing concern over what he described as Anambra’s relatively low internally generated revenue compared with its economic potential, Mefor identified inadequate tax education, weak enforcement of cashless revenue collection and the absence of a comprehensive taxpayer database as major challenges.
He called on AIRS to develop a comprehensive database of businesses and lock-up shops across the state, insisting that every eligible business should be properly captured in the tax system and issued a Tax Identification Number.
Mefor specifically urged the agency to intensify its enumeration exercise across major commercial centres, including Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja, Ose, Nnewi and Nkpor, with a target of capturing more than 10,000 traders in the identified commercial areas.
He also suggested the recruitment of temporary personnel to support the exercise where necessary.
The commissioner maintained that residents and business owners would be more willing to fulfil their tax obligations when they could identify tangible results from government spending.
He cited the Soludo administration’s open government policy, online publication of contract details, grievance-resolution dashboards and its reported budget allocation of 79 per cent to capital expenditure and 21 per cent to recurrent expenditure.
Mefor further pledged to resubmit a proposal for a statewide tax enlightenment campaign, describing tax payment as an important civic responsibility.
He urged AIRS to embrace automation, block revenue leakages and strengthen public awareness campaigns to improve the state’s revenue base and reduce dependence on borrowing.
Earlier, the leader of the AIRS Corporate Communications Unit, Lynda Chioma Okoye, said the visit was aimed at consolidating the existing relationship between the agency and the ministry.
She also proposed the establishment of a joint media team to strengthen communication and follow up on areas of collaboration, adding that the AIRS Chairman remained committed to the partnership despite his demanding schedule.
