Calabar Municipality Mayor to rejig revenue generation, meets revenue contractors

Mayor of Calabar Municipality, Apostle James Anam has met with the chairmen and secretaries of the various revenue generating agencies in Calabar Municipality.

In an opening remark, the Head of Local Government Administration, HOLGA for Calabar Municipality, Mrs Ekanem Henshaw said the meeting was necessary to chart a new course for revenue generation in the Municipality.

Apostle James Anam said revenue collection in Calabar Municipality was in a serious mess.

He announced the intention of his administration to introduce a new and radical approach to revenue generation, adding that it will no longer be business as usual where people work for their pockets.

Apostle Anam said Council will soon contract major revenue points to consultants and revenues generated will be used to develop infrastructure in Calabar Municipality.

He went on to announce the setting up of a 6-man Revenue Committee to verify all revenue points within the Municipality.

The Committee is headed by the Vice Chairman of Calabar Municipal Council, Pastor Okon Nyong, with the Council Secretary, Comrade Iso Bassey Edim as Secretary, while Chief Bassey Effiom, Hon. Ntete Ita, Hon. Thomas Edem, and Hon. Emmanuel Inok are to serve as members.

The Mayor said he was going to carry out major reorganization on how business was being conducted at the Ika-Ika Oqua Market, adding that a lot of illegal structures at the Market will be demolished to enhance free flow of vehicular and human traffic.

He said the priority of his administration will be to ensure that the dividends of democracy gets to the people.

Some revenue contractors who spoke praised the bold initiative by the Mayor and promised to support the innovations being introduced to boost internally generated revenue in the Municipality.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)