CSNews Desk
If you are visiting Calabar South LGA in Cross River State for the first time, what you will notice first is the energy as the entire area is bustling with activity and business. Shops exist in every street corner and the area also boasts of some of the biggest and strategic markets in the area.
There is no doubt that this urban island is sitting on a goldmine, a goldmine that only needs innovation, commitment and a strong political will to tap into these resources effectively. They say a stitch in time saves nine, and with the recent re-launch of the POS system of collection in Calabar South LGA you can say that the Honorable Chairman, Mrs. Majorie Asuquo is not only out to save nine, but to save millions.
On this particular Tuesday afternoon, Hon. Majorie Asuquo sits in her office at the Local Government Council and makes a phone call to the revenue supervisor in the field.
Chairman: Haa Ete, how are you today?
Supervisor: Good morning My Chair.
Chairman: So how far, I can see you have done 15 shops already today.
Supervisor: Madam you are on internet ooooo, I can see…
Chairman: I am enjoying this POS so much, take it easy and see you later.
She takes another look at her Ipad and smiles, if only she knew she would have automated her collections ages ago, she is completely overwhelmed that just at a click she actually knows how much has been generated from the on-going shop and kiosks collections without been there physically. So far in January alone the council had already generated over a million naira with collections still on-going as against three hundred thousand naira that was generated for the whole of last year, 2015 from manual collections.
Also as part of GEMS3 Local Government tax harmonization consolidation intervention, it should be noted that the launch of the automated system by Calabar South LGA was implemented autonomously by the Council using the GEMS3 tool-kit approach which required very little assistance from the program.
With an imminent increase in the councils IGR looming positively in the horizon, the Chairman is already talking about setting up a tax for service committee that will oversee the implementation of projects that will improve on the infrastructure in the market environment and create an enabling environment for business to thrive in the LGA devoid of illegal charges, harassment and other negative vices that existed in the past.
Speaking at one of the collection points, The Chairman of Council, Hon. Majorie Asuqwo represented by the Director, Finance and Supplies, Mrs. Glory Effiong, said the improvement in the councils IGR will bring about the much needed change and the provision of tax for service projects that will improve the lives of the people in the LGA.
Tremendous improvements are already been recorded from on-going collections and the Chairman of the LGA looks forward to a better business environment for the people of Calabar South LGA.
