Revenue Dispute Erupts Between Anambra State Tax Officials

In an escalating dispute within the Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue Services (AIRS), the Chairman, Dr. Greg Ezeilo, and the Executive Director of Operations, Dr. Christian Madubuko, are embroiled in a bitter blame game concerning the state’s revenue performance.

This discord has far-reaching implications, causing ripple effects among their respective supporters involved in revenue collection for the state.

Ezeilo and Madubuko are engaged in a war of words, each accusing the other of disseminating inaccurate information regarding the monthly revenue figures.

According to Mr. Steve Ukaeje, an official representing the director, the state’s revenue plummeted from N2.14 billion in March 2023 to N1.9 billion in August 2023. Ukaeje attributed this decline to Madubuko’s absence from duty in August due to international travel.

Ukaeje praised Madubuko’s efforts, citing that the agency had achieved notable revenue increments under his leadership. However, he alleged that Chairman Ezeilo had seized control, leading to a drop in revenue figures, despite his approval of lucrative interstate revenue projects.

Chairman Ezeilo vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as false and baseless. He asserted that the state’s revenue was not diminishing but, in fact, improving. Ezeilo claimed to have been actively sealing revenue leakages and expressed confidence that the state’s fiscal situation would improve over time.

He further criticized Madubuko’s actions, stating that the executive director should be working collaboratively with him and devising strategies for enforcing revenue collection rather than personally seeking revenue in markets and parks.

This ongoing dispute within the AIRS underscores the importance of unity and cooperation in revenue collection efforts, as the residents of Anambra State eagerly await a resolution to the conflict.