The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging Governor Willie Obiano to direct the Chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service to embark on a continuous sensitization programme to ensure prompt payment of taxes and levies by Ndi Anambra as well as take proactive measures to check tax evasion in Anambra State.


The House passed the resolution following a motion sponsored to that effect by the Deputy Speaker, Dr Paschal Agbodike during yesterday’s plenary in Awka.


Section twenty-four of the 1999 Constitution as amended, provides that it shall be the duty of every citizen to declare his income honestly[ to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly.


It is on this basis that Dr Agbodike sponsored the motion.


Explaining the motion, Dr Agbodike revealed that the ugly practice of tax evasion by most taxpayers in the state is not only fraudulent but also constantly depletes the Internally Generated Revenue of the State which in turn adversely affects the provision of adequate basic social infrastructure by the state for its indigenes and residents alike.


On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Chief Obinna Emeneka, called for continuous sensitization of the people by the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service on the need for regular payment of tax.


The Member representing Nnewi North Constituency, Honourable Nonso Okafor urged taxable adults to always pay their tax to enable government provide social amenities for their benefit.


The Speaker, Right Honourable Uche Okafor called on the Agency to intensify efforts in this regard and read out the resolution of the House, while the lawmakers supported it through a voice vote.