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Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Akwa Ibom State have endorsed the proposed Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service Bill but urged the State House of Assembly to amend some provisions to strengthen transparency, institutional independence and the protection of taxpayers’ rights.

The groups made the call after participating in a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation and Finance to consider the proposed legislation titled, “A Bill for a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service for Efficient Administration and Collection of Internally Generated Revenue and for Matters Connected Therewith.”

The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed as false reports alleging that the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, sponsored an adultery bill before the State House of Assembly.

Some online platforms had claimed that the Assembly passed a bill criminalising sexual relationships with married men, purportedly sponsored by the Deputy Governor. The state government, however, described the report as misleading and without factual basis.