Abia designates five sites as heritage monuments, rules out tax hikes

File: Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

The Abia State Government has approved some historical sites in the state as part of ongoing efforts to preserve Abia’s rich history, promote tourism and unlock new economic opportunities.

These sites were categorised as the State’s Monuments and the State’s Natural Monuments

The sites for the state’s monuments include the National War Museum Umuahia, Ojukwu Bunker Umuahia, and the Government College Umuahia, while the State’s Natural Monuments include Ibom Waterfall Arochukwu and the Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday at the Government House in Umuahia, the state capital, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the designation would strengthen the state government’s efforts to preserve its cultural and natural heritage while positioning the sites for wider international recognition.

“These sites have been elevated to heritage sites that enhance the state’s tourism potential.

“With this approval, they are primed to attract recognition as UNESCO Heritage Sites,” Kanu stated.

He also announced that Aba has been designated a Creative and Innovative City, in recognition of its longstanding commercial, industrial and creative significance.

The Commissioner disclosed that the retrofitting of the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum had reached about 80 per cent completion and was expected to be concluded before the end of the year.

He said the projects, when completed, would enhance the preservation of the historical value of the sites, improve visitors’ experience and further strengthen their tourism potential.

The commissioner further revealed that the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has received approval to develop the Ibom Waterfall Tourism Corridor in Arochukwu, adding that work had already commenced on the project.

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The Commissioner also disclosed that the ministry had commenced the erection of monuments at strategic locations across the state to preserve Abia’s heritage, honour its heroes and heroines, and promote the state’s cultural identity.

Among the monuments is one dedicated to the heroines of the 1929 Aba Women’s riot, celebrating their courage, resilience, resistance and leadership.

The Commissioner also seized the opportunity to exonerate the state government from the alleged excessive tax collection that went viral recently.

He, therefore, clarified that the rates being referenced were not new, and that the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Services could not unilaterally increase taxes without the backing of enabling legislation. He reiterated that no new tax increases had been introduced by the present administration.

“For starters, these rates are not new. Most of the rates are 2020 tax rates that were introduced by the previous government.

“Let me reiterate that the Board of Internal Revenue cannot raise tax rates without the backing of enabling laws. And no such increases have been introduced by the Abia State Government,” he stated.

The Commissioner also explained that demand notices issued by the Board were provided for under the law and urged taxpayers to comply with the provisions of the relevant tax laws, noting that legitimate concerns would be duly addressed by the Board’s officials.

Kanu also dismissed reports that akara sellers were being made to pay N50,000 in taxes.

“This is pure fallacy. Nothing can be further from the truth. Akara sellers don’t pay tax or levies. They pay daily tolls, and none can pay as high as N50,000,” he stated.

On the payment of outstanding gratuity owed to retired workers by previous administrations, the Commissioner disclosed that payments covering the period from 2001 to 2010 had been made, while preparations were ongoing for the next batch covering 2011 to 2025.

Also present at the briefing were the Chairman, Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Services, Mr Uche Elekwachi; the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Mathew Ekwuribe; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr Emmanuel Okpechi.