Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has declared that the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in Akwa Ibom State will significantly enhance revenue growth, strengthen fiscal discipline and drive holistic development across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The Governor made this known during an engagement with revenue officers and critical stakeholders at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, where he underscored the TSA as a strategic financial reform designed to eliminate leakages, improve transparency and reinforce accountability in public finance management.

The Governor explained that, the new regime would shore up internally generated revenue (IGR), provide empirical data for planning and create a centralized framework for efficient monitoring of government earnings.

“Our revenue collection drive and system has not been very effective,” the Governor stated.

“We have invested substantial time reviewing and reforming our systems since assuming office. These efforts may not be as visible as physical infrastructure, but they are fundamental to sustainable development.”

He expressed concern over the existing revenue collection structure where some MDAs spend revenues generated internally, while still drawing monthly imprest from government coffers, describing the practice as unsustainable and counterproductive to prudent fiscal management.

Highlighting gains from ongoing systemic reforms, Governor Eno disclosed that over 2,000 unaccredited workers were uncovered in the State Civil Service through a comprehensive digital verification exercise spearheaded by the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy. He commended the Commissioner for driving the reform agenda.

According to him, the State has now deployed a digital platform that allows civil servants and political appointees to conduct self-verification and access payroll information securely via their mobile devices using unique identity numbers, an innovation aimed at promoting transparency and eliminating ghost workers.

Under the TSA framework, he added, collection costs and operational funds will be processed through an automated system to standardize procedures and eliminate abuses associated with manual handling of public funds.

In his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Almond Bob, described the TSA as a landmark public financial management reform under the present administration.

He lauded the Governor for clearing inherited commercial bank debts amounting to N39.831 billion and paying nearly N80 billion in gratuity arrears out of an inherited N111 billion backlog dating back to 2012.

He further highlighted achievements including over 80 percent budget performance, prompt salary payments, extensive infrastructure development and settlement of contractors’ obligations.

The Commissioner noted that, the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to address concerns and agree on clear modalities for the remittance of operational funds to revenue-generating MDAs and institutions under the new TSA regime.

The Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Kufreabasi Edidem, commended the Governor for institutionalizing a sustainable digital revenue system capable of enduring beyond his tenure.

He described the TSA as long overdue, noting that it would curb financial irregularities and strengthen audit processes within government institutions.

Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Dr. Itorobong Etim, characterized the initiative as a testament to the administration’s commitment to long-term fiscal stability.

Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the State, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, represented by the Chairman of Ika Local Government Area, Barr. Utibe Nwoko, assured that local government councils were prepared to align fully with the new financial framework.

The State Accountant General, Mr. Uwem Andrew-Essien, also expressed confidence in the reform, assuring stakeholders that anticipated bottlenecks had been addressed to ensure a seamless transition.

The highpoint of the engagement was the comprehensive presentation on the State’s remittance platform, “AkwaRemit”, delivered by the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong.

He outlined operational guidelines, compliance requirements and the technological architecture supporting the TSA framework.

With the rollout of the Treasury Single Account and digital remittance infrastructure, the Eno administration is positioning Akwa Ibom for a new era of fiscal prudence, where transparency, data-driven planning and accountability form the bedrock of sustainable economic growth.