The Executive Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has relaunched its Abia State Social Identification Number (ABSSIN) to facilitate citizens’ economic planning and fight multiple taxation.
The development was announced by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, during a news conference at the Government House, Umuahia.
Kanu said ABSSIN would enhance the effort of the government to enhance social protection and uphold the principle of inclusion in governance.
He said: “The government is taking this issue very seriously. This government has been very intentional in its plans, very strategic in execution of its plans and very determined to enhance living standards of the citizens.”
The Abia State Internal Revenue Services (ABIRS) chairman, Udochukwu Ogbonna, said every resident would have the number.
Ogbonna said the ABSSIN could be obtained by registering online, using the ‘Abiapay online’, ABIRS office in the 17 LGAs and ministries.
He said: “When you are paying your tax, you are supposed to quote this number. What that means is that every transaction you are doing in the state will come under one account, that is to say that, ABSSN is the account number of every citizen in Abia state.
“ABSSIN is not only for tax payment. It will help you to have access to certain benefits that are coming from the government, which include scholarships.”
In the same vein, the commissioner for budget and planning, Kingsley Anosike, said that ABSSIN would serve as data source for economic planning and accessing social benefits from the government of Abia State.
Anosike said: “Once you register, all your information situated in that platform becomes easier to reach you, whether it is for an emergency, whatever it is.”
