By Solomon OKPO
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has ordered the immediate termination of all private consultants and contractors involved in revenue collection across the state, signaling a sweeping overhaul of the state’s revenue administration framework.
The directive, announced on Sunday during the New Year thanksgiving service, introduces a Single Treasury Account (STA) system designed to block revenue leakages and entrench transparency in public finance management.
By the Governor’s order, all existing contracts covering revenue collection in sectors such as transportation, motor parks, and other government revenue points stand void with immediate effect. The move effectively resets the state’s entire revenue-gathering architecture.
To manage the new system, Governor Eno approved the constitution of an inter-ministerial committee to be led by the Commissioners for Finance and Budget. The committee will assume full oversight of revenue collection pending the completion of the transition to the unified treasury framework.
Under the new arrangement, all revenues generated by the state will be paid directly into a single government account, enabling real-time tracking and monitoring of public funds. The Governor also pledged full public disclosure of revenues accrued under the STA regime.
Emphasising the policy significance of the decision, Governor Eno described the reform as a fundamental shift rather than a routine administrative adjustment.
“I am saying it now so you can know we are serious,” the Governor declared. “We must ensure all revenue is collected centrally into one unified state treasury.”
He further disclosed that a task force would be inaugurated in the coming days to oversee the transition process and ensure continuity in revenue inflow, while preventing any disruptions during the handover period.
The revenue reform is expected to redefine fiscal accountability in Akwa Ibom State and curtail long-standing concerns over revenue leakages linked to outsourced collection systems.
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