…As Government Moves to Centralise Revenue Collection, Sets Up Task Force After Ending Outsourced Contracts
By: Destiny Young
The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the commencement of tenement rate payments by residents of government owned estates from January 2026, following a policy decision by Governor Umo Eno to clear all outstanding arrears accumulated over previous years.
The announcement was made on Sunday, 4 January 2026, during a Special Inter Denominational New Year Thanksgiving and Covenant Service attended by government officials, religious leaders, and members of the public. The Governor described the move as part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at strengthening the state’s revenue base while easing the burden on residents.
Governor Umo Eno stated that all legacy debts owed by occupants of government estates had been written off, allowing residents to begin afresh with payments from January 2026. He assured the public that the tenement rates to be introduced would be modest and affordable, noting that the policy was designed to encourage compliance rather than impose hardship.
According to the Governor, tenement rates remain an important source of internally generated revenue for state governments and play a vital role in funding infrastructure and essential services. He explained that proceeds from the rates would be used to support road maintenance, environmental sanitation, estate management, and other public services that directly benefit residents.
The Governor urged residents of government estates to see the payment of tenement rates as a civic responsibility, stressing that sustainable development requires active participation from citizens. He noted that reliance on statutory allocations alone was no longer sufficient to meet the growing needs of the state.
As part of the fiscal reform measures, Governor Umo Eno also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating all internally generated revenue into a Treasury Single Account. He said the policy would enhance transparency, improve financial planning, and ensure that public funds are properly accounted for. The Governor added that a unified revenue account would help reduce leakages and strengthen confidence in public financial management.
In a related development, the Governor announced the termination of contracts awarded to external revenue management contractors and consultants. He said the decision was taken to improve efficiency and accountability in revenue collection. To replace the outsourced arrangements, the state government plans to establish a revenue task force that will identify, harmonise, and oversee all internally generated revenue channels.
The task force, according to the Governor, will ensure that all revenues are properly collected and remitted directly into the government Treasury Single Account. He said this approach would give the state better control over its finances and reduce dependence on federal allocations derived largely from oil revenues.
Observers say the combined measures signal a shift towards tighter fiscal discipline and a renewed focus on domestic revenue mobilisation. The success of the policy, they note, will depend on effective implementation and the visible use of collected funds to improve public infrastructure and service delivery across the state.
