The Abia State Government will on Saturday, 2nd March 2024 re-launch the Abia State Social Identification Number (ABSSIN), an initiative of government aimed at enhancing social protection and inclusion of the citizenry.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture Prince Okey Kanu disclosed this in a pre re-launch press conference held in Government House Umuahia. He said the Initiative speaks to the efforts of Governor Alex Otti in improving the welfare of the people.
According to him, the Abia State Social Identification Number being relaunched by Governor Alex Otti led administration would enhance the social protection and inclusion of Abians and Abia residents
“The government is taken 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 Abians and Abia residents across board”
Prince Kanu noted that the government has recorded many achievements in all sectors of economy in the last nine months, assuring that government is poised to do even more, stating that at the outset government focused on some areas of governance and declared a state of emergency in all those areas and a lot of achievements have been recorded in those areas. He said the achievements have made the government to be receiving accolades from all quarters including the opposition.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike stated that ABSSIN would form the source of data for economic planning, adding that it would become a data base for accessing social benefits from the State.
Mr. Anosike explained further that,
“With this initiative, the focus of the government to make sure that many people, not just citizens of Abia per say , all those who reside in Abia. Those who live here pay their taxes here will be able to register and once you register, all your information situated in that platform becomes easier to reach you, whether it is for emergency, whatever it is”
Contributing the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Mr. Chimeremeze Okigbo emphasized that the government wants to be intentional about economic planning and said that the ABSSIN which is registered free of charge would help in physical security of the people living in the State.
Also, the Chairman Abia State Internal Revenue Services (ABIRS), Prof. Udochukwu Ogbonna said that every Abian and resident are supposed to have the number, describing it as the account number of every citizen in the State.
Prof. Ogbonna , who highlighted the benefits of ABSSIN said it could be registered online or at any BIR office in the LGAs or Ministries.
“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 is coming from government which include scholarship”
He reteirated that one can register online using Abiapay online or go to any BIR or office or any of that Ministries