Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has said the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in the state will enhance revenue growth and serve as a strategic tool for holistic development, improved transparency and stronger accountability across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Speaking during an engagement with revenue officers and key stakeholders at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Uyo, the Governor explained that the TSA would help increase internally generated revenue, block leakages and provide reliable data to support planning and development initiatives.
Governor Eno expressed dissatisfaction with the existing revenue collection framework, criticising the practice where some Ministries, Departments and Agencies spend revenues they generate while still receiving monthly imprest from the government.
Highlighting gains from ongoing reforms, the Governor disclosed that more than 2,000 unaccredited workers were uncovered within the State Civil Service through a digital verification exercise carried out by the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy. He commended the Commissioner for driving the reform initiative.
He added that under the reviewed system, the state now operates a digital platform that allows civil servants and political appointees to carry out self-verification and access payroll information through their mobile devices using their identity numbers. According to him, collection costs and operational funds under the TSA regime will be processed through an automated system to ensure standardisation and prevent abuse.
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Finance, Emem Almond Bob, described the TSA initiative as a major public financial management reform of the present administration, noting that the engagement was organised to address stakeholders’ concerns and agree on modalities for remittance of operational funds to revenue-generating agencies and institutions.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Kufreabasi Edidem, commended the Governor for institutionalising a sustainable digital revenue system capable of outlasting the current administration. He noted that the TSA was long overdue and would help curb financial irregularities while strengthening audit processes.
Government House Correspondent, Jane Uwa, reports that the highlight of the event was a detailed presentation on the state’s remittance platform, AkwaRemit, delivered by the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr Frank Ekpenyong, outlining operational guidelines and compliance expectations under the TSA framework.