By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State Government has announced the kick-off of a reformed border revenue collection for agric produce, commerce, forestry, and cattle, in the state.

Making the announcement during a meeting with security chiefs, border revenue agents and staff members of the Ministry of Agriculture in Awka on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, said the Ministry has mapped out collection centres in all border locations in the state using signage.

He said that the Ministry has designed an ‘ATMC App’ to guide the new revenue regime.

According to him, the staff members/agents to be working on the roads must have their details registered in the ATMC platform.

Mbanefo warned against duplication of tickets by contractors and agents, saying that anyone found wanting risk having his contract revoked.

While urging security operatives to arrest any revenue agent not wearing reflective jackets, jean trousers and shoes, the Commissioner said: “Everybody should protect his job and ward off any unacceptable individuals on the road, touting, breaking people’s glasses and creating anarchy on the roads.”

He said the revenue collection is a one day toll, payable only at the entry point.

The Commissioner explained that “the newly approved border Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) rates as follows: Commerce: 10 tons vehicle, ₦3,500; 20 tons vehicle ₦6,000 and 30 tons vehicle ₦6,000.

“Vehicles conveying produce: 10 tons, ₦3,500; 20 tons ₦6,000 and 30 tons, ₦6,000.

“Forestry: 10 tons, vehicle ₦3,500; 20 tons, vehicle ₦6,000 while 30 tons vehicle would pay ₦6,000

“Vehicles conveying cattle will be charged ₦200 per animal and ₦100 per goat.”

On his part, a representative from the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Mike Afah, described the new digital innovation for border revenue collection as a laudable one that will solve the problems of the past as witnessed at Amansea border and other points of entries.

He assured that the Agriculture Ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Transport to ensure the innovation works.

The State Commissioner of Police, represented by the DPO, B Division, Awka, CSP Sanni Ahmed, cited the move as one of the best things that would happen to Anambra State adding that the state had been called all sorts of names, due to the old nature of revenue collection.

He hailed the commissioner for the new digital innovation for revenue collection, which he said would provide a platform to monitor any evaluate happenings in the roads.

Ahmed pledged the support of the Police in carrying out the new revenue collection regime.

On his part, the Area Commander, Onitsha Police Command, ACP John Obuagbaka, said that the era of business as usual was over with the new arrangement.

“Revenue agents should stick to the State Government’s approved border IGR rates. The Police would support the drive at all the designated revenue points across the state,” he stated.