A C Okonkwo, an expert in Financial Management, has advocated for proper accountability as a critical factor in improving the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of Anambra.

Okonkwo made the call while interacting with newsmen in his office, at Akpo Micro Finance Bank, Akpo, Aguata Council Area of the state.

The expert, who is the managing director, Akpo Micro Finance Bank argued that government could ensure accountability of revenue by patronising Micro Financial institutions, domiciled in rural communities for collection of its taxes and levies.

“If government in the state/local government levels can open an account with Micro Finance Banks in the communities for collection of levies due to government, we will ensure proper accountability.

“If shop owners, canteens, beer parlours in communities can come to the banks with government levies, I am sure government will know how much it has generated,’’ Okonkwo reiterated.

He said government’s involvement in Micro Financial Institutions in revenue collection would help to check incidences of all forms of criminality and leakages of funds accruable to state government. `

“If levies due to government are collected and accounted for, government will have enough IGR to attend to its obligations, now that the issue of minimum wage is trending,’’ Okonkwo assured.

According to him, the presence of Micro Finance Banks in the rural communities have made economies of rural dwellers viable

“We have no fewer than 10,000 customers operating different types of accounts; savings ability of community dwellers can also be strengthened,’’ he added.

He observed that over the years they provided credit facilities to indigent rural dwellers to enable them to start businesses of their own especially, in the areas of poultry, piggery, and cassava production.

– Mar. 26, 2019 @ 13:22 GMT |