As a measure to avoid the over dependence on federal allocation and flush discrepancies encountered in revenue collection, the Anambra State Government has launched the banks’ use of Point of Sale (POS) in the collection of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Flagging off this new phase in revenue drive on Friday at Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Governor Willie Obiano stated that the process is geared towards sealing off the leakages in IGR collection. He said that over 10,000 Ndi Anambra would be gainfully employed to deploy the devices. The governor listed the levies to be collected to include market stall-age fees, sanitation, market development levy, traders tax, decongestion, loading and off-loading levies, among others. He urged the banks to show great sense of commitment in the project. Obiano noted that the state’s IGR when he assumed office was N500m but currently stood at N1.3bn, adding that the state is targeting N2.2bn with the launching of the system. The governor expressed confidence at the banks and the agents’ readiness to work. He urged Ndi Anambra not to pay cash to anybody not fully identified.

Earlier in his remarks, the chairman, committee on the use of POS for IGR collection, Chief Olisa Anyauno, and the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke, further explained that this is to ensure that revenue gets directly to government account so as to enable it develop all infrastructures in the state. He disclosed that 8 banks identified to partner with the state in the use of POS for IGR collection. He listed the banks to include Diamond Bank, First bank, Skye bank, Zenith bank, Fidelity Bank, UBA, Sterling Bank and Stanbic IBTC Bank. He posited that the state was divided into zones and each of the banks was allocated zones of collection through the ballot process. He further added that the POS also enhances data collection thus increasing the state’s data bank.

Explaining how the system works, the consultant for the system and managing director of Oliswarren group, Chief Olisa Anyauno, said that the POS system reverses the system of cash collection. According to him, the system is watertight and is aimed at blocking leakages inherent in IGR collection. He explained that the POS system requires the use of the Debit card (ATM card). He posited that all field agents are equipped with POS terminals and will be wearing specially branded uniforms with ID cards. He advised those who don't have ATM cards to pay cash to the agents who will in turn use their ATM cards to make the transaction on their behalf and issue electronic slip. He warned against accepting manual receipts for transactions. Chief Anyauno further disclosed that Anambra is the first state to launch this.

In his vote of thanks, the commissioner of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Hon. Ifeatu Onejeme, expressed gratitude at the fruition of the process and launching.

The event was graced by the speaker of the state house of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rita Mmaduagwu, top government functionaries, traditional rulers, Bank managers, members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), market leaders among others.

•Photo shows Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State, flanked by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke (L), and Hon Rita Maduagwu, Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, demonstrating the use of POS in revenue collection during the formal adoption of the technology in revenue drive in a ceremony . . . on Friday in Awka.