NO TAX INCREMENT IN ABÍA 35TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TO FEATURE ONE WEEK LONG ACTIVITIES David Maduako –Umuahia

NO TAX INCREMENT IN ABÍA 35TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION TO FEATURE ONE WEEK LONG ACTIVITIES

David Maduako –Umuahia

The Abia State Government says the ongoing reforms in tax administration in the state do not translate to increment in taxes payable by the citizen rather the reforms means that the collection of taxes is being automated to capture all persons eligible to pay tax in the state .

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu stated this on Monday, August 17, 2026 at Government House umuahia, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti

Prince Okey Kanu explained that the ongoing reforms in the state’s tax administration are aimed at improving transparency, accountability and ease of doing business, and not increasing the tax burden on residents.

According to him, the reforms are designed to make tax administration “more transparent, traceable, auditable, automated and taxpayer-friendly, while eliminating leakages, multiple collections and arbitrary practices.

The Commissioner explained that the integration of revenue collection systems, particularly at vehicle licensing offices, was introduced to eliminate cash handling and ensure that funds paid by taxpayers are properly accounted for and remitted to government coffers.

Prince Kanu also clarified that there had been no increase in Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system , land or vehicle taxes, stressing that the State Board of Internal Revenue does not have the power to unilaterally increase or reduce tax payment.

On the Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), the Commissioner explained that the process was being implemented in line with existing tax laws and the new national tax framework, requiring proper assessment of tax payers’ income rather than the previous practice of paying a flat rate without adequate assessment.

He said the government’s position was not to arbitrarily tax funds or payments into a taxpayer’s bank account, but to establish, through lawful assessment and verification, which portions constitute taxable income.

On the consolidated demand notice for businesses, Dr. Emmanuel Okpechi who is the Special Adviser to the governor on internally revenue generation explained that the initiative was designed to harmonize various charges and eliminate multiple collections by different government agencies

He urged Abians to disregard misinformation concerning alleged tax increases, stressing that the reforms were intended to create a fairer, more transparent and efficient tax system.

He further clarified that the Board would not automatically treat every inflow into a taxpayer’s bank account as taxable income, noting that taxpayers would have the opportunity to explain and substantiate the nature of such transactions during the assessment process for those that demand for Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC).

Also, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha noted that the clarification that no tax was increased became necessary against the backdrop of the recent statements credited to some opposition party members, who are not comfortable with the developments witnessed in Abia under under Governor Alex Otti.

He said that the new tax law has harmonized every payment, adding that , whether it is stallage fee , ASEPA fee or any other fee “what the government did was to consolidate it, so that once one pays, he has paid everything, he stated .

Prince Kanu further noted that the state government would have a week long celebration of Abía State 35th anniversary which would kick start on the 23rd of August 2026, with an inter denominational church service at Trade More event center Umuahia, According to him, the Celebration would show case activities such as commissioning of completed projects and flagging off, of new ones , a public lecture series , exhibition by youths ,and a state broadcast by the state governor coming up on the final day of the events which is the 27th of August 2026.

The Commissioner disclosed that the state government have offered to help South African Returnees of Abía State origin .with the sum of a million Naira each . He noted that about 31 persons have so far received the fund to help them start Iife afresh in the state .

He said the governor Dr Alex Óttï have given directives to ministry of poverty alleviation and Social Protection to find out if there are more Abians who are stranded in South Africa, with the view of assisting them to come back home .
End .