The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called on the state government to establish a State Central Revenue Account (SCRA) to serve as a unified treasury for all state revenues, beginning with the 2026 fiscal year.
The lawmakers also urged the government to design and implement a centralised multi-channel payment platform that would integrate all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Local Government Areas (LGAs). The platform, expected to be named by the end of this year, will ensure that all government payments are made electronically and automatically remitted into the SCRA.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the House Leader and member representing Nsit Ubium State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, and seconded by Hon. Udobia Friday Udo, during Tuesday’s plenary.
Presenting the motion, Rt. Hon. Bob urged the state government, through the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy, the Accountant General’s Office, and the State Internal Revenue Service to ensure that all MDAs and LGAs are fully onboarded onto the digital payment platform within three months of its completion.
He explained that the platform would facilitate the issuance of invoices, receipts, and permits electronically, thereby minimising manual cash handling and reducing leakages in revenue collection.
Recalling the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA) initiative introduced in 2012 and fully implemented under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Bob noted that several states, including Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Oyo, and Niger, have already adopted similar digital payment systems to streamline public finance management.
“Governments in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Ghana, and Nigeria (through REMITA) have demonstrated that integrated digital platforms enhance fiscal transparency and efficiency,” Bob said, citing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which regards the TSA as a vital tool for consolidating public funds, reducing borrowing costs, and improving financial management.
He warned that failure to adopt the SCRA model could expose the state to continued revenue leakages, poor cash management, and limited accountability.
Several lawmakers, including Rt. Hon. KufeAbasi Edidem, Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson, Hon. Lawrence Udoide, and Hon. Itorobong Etim, spoke in support of the motion, stressing that the initiative would promote transparency and improve public confidence in the state’s financial system.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, directed the Clerk, Mrs. NsikakAbasi Orok, to communicate the Assembly’s resolution to Governor Umo Eno for necessary action.
The House subsequently adjourned plenary to reconvene on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
