RismadarVoice Reporters
September 15, 2026
The Abia State Government has dismissed reports that akara sellers and other petty traders are being compelled to pay N50,000 in taxes, describing the claim as false and misleading.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made the clarification on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu said there had been no fresh increase in tax rates by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, explaining that most of the rates currently being circulated were contained in tax laws enacted in 2020 under the previous administration.
He stressed that the Board of Internal Revenue lacked the authority to increase tax rates without supporting legislation.
According to him, demand notices issued by the revenue board were lawful and urged taxpayers to comply with relevant tax provisions while assuring that legitimate complaints would be addressed by the appropriate authorities.
Addressing the specific claim that akara sellers were being asked to pay N50,000, Kanu said the traders do not pay taxes or levies but daily tolls, adding that none of them was required to pay the alleged amount.
The Chairman of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Uche Elekwachi, also dismissed the claim, saying there was no revenue window under the state’s tax laws requiring akara sellers to pay N50,000.
Elekwachi noted that the Abia Internally Generated Revenue Service Law, which provides the framework for revenue collection in the state, was enacted in 2020 before the current administration assumed office.
Meanwhile, the state government has approved the designation of several historical and natural sites as State Monuments and State Natural Monuments.
The sites designated as State Monuments include the National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker and Government College, all in Umuahia.
Ibom Waterfall in Arochukwu and Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi, Bende Local Government Area, were designated State Natural Monuments.
Kanu said the designations were aimed at preserving Abia’s cultural and natural heritage, promoting tourism and creating new economic opportunities.
He added that the sites could eventually attract recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The commissioner also announced that Aba had been designated a Creative and Innovative City in recognition of its longstanding commercial, industrial and creative importance.
He disclosed that the retrofitting of the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum had reached about 80 per cent and was expected to be completed before the end of 2026.
According to him, the projects are expected to improve the preservation of the sites, enhance visitors’ experience and boost their tourism potential.
Kanu further disclosed that the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy had secured approval to develop the Ibom Waterfall Tourism Corridor in Arochukwu.
He said work had already commenced, including the grading of access roads to the waterfall, with completion expected before the end of the year.
The government has also commenced the construction of monuments at strategic locations to preserve Abia’s heritage, honour its heroes and heroines and promote the state’s cultural identity.
One of the projects is a monument dedicated to the heroines of the 1929 Aba Women’s Riot, which Kanu said would commemorate their courage, resilience, resistance and leadership.
On outstanding gratuities owed to retired workers, Kanu said the government had completed payments covering retirees from 2001 to 2010 and was preparing to commence the next batch covering 2011 to 2025.
He said the next payments would begin after the completion of ongoing verification and other internal processes.
The commissioner dismissed suggestions that the gratuity payments were being made because of opposition pressure, explaining that the financial obligations involved made a phased payment approach necessary.
He also clarified reports suggesting that gratuity payments would end in 2031.
According to him, the State Gratuity Committee recommended that gratuity provisions be incorporated into the state’s 2026–2031 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and subsequent annual budgets.
He said the arrangement was designed to ensure that gratuity obligations were systematically provided for and prevent the accumulation of fresh arrears.
Kanu stressed that the inclusion of gratuity provisions in the framework did not mean payments would stop in 2031, adding that outstanding obligations would continue to be settled in batches as verification processes were completed.
He expressed optimism that the government could clear the outstanding liabilities earlier than projected.
The briefing was also attended by the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Matthew Ekwuribe, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr Emmanuel Okpechi.
