The Abia State Government has addressed recent reports claiming “draconian taxation” and “ruthless enforcement,” describing them as false and misleading. According to the government, the reforms introduced under His Excellency Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, are people-centered, transparent, and aimed at fostering accountability while improving the ease of doing business in the state.
Upon assuming office, Governor Otti granted a three-month moratorium on daily collections to end years of harassment by touts and introduced a single Harmonised Task Force to streamline enforcement and prevent multiple tickets or extortion. The state also implemented the Treasury Single Account (TSA) model, ensuring that all government revenues are collected into a single account, enabling real-time reconciliation, improved cash management, and audit trails while eliminating opaque departmental accounts.
To further support businesses and citizens, Abia has centralised all collections under the Board of Internal Revenue with consolidated demand notices and electronic receipts issued through approved channels, including AbiaPay, banks, and point-of-sale devices. The reforms also saw a moderate review of rates that remain competitive in the region, including a daily e-ticket for tricycles set at ₦500, a level deemed manageable by operators after the elimination of non-State loading bay fees. Claims suggesting that filling stations are charged ₦450 million are entirely false and illogical, with no such levies in the state’s approved schedules.
The government emphasized a cash-lite approach to protect taxpayers and prevent revenue leakages, ensuring that every payment generates an official e-receipt. The partnership with Access Bank was highlighted as a professional collaboration to strengthen financial processes, with no percentage of collections granted to the bank. Governor Otti’s administration reiterated that the state’s 2025 revenue target of ₦120 billion is driven by Aba’s commercial and industrial strength, urban renewal initiatives, and pro-business policies rather than punitive levies.
Civic responsibility remains at the core of the reforms, with taxes viewed as the government’s share of prosperity, reinvested into infrastructure, markets, health, and security to benefit citizens and businesses. The government urged residents to register for ABSSIN, make payments through approved channels, and report any instances of touting, unofficial tickets, or cash demands. With these reforms, Abia State seeks to maintain transparent revenue systems, end harassment, and ensure that development reaches all communities across the state.
Reported by: Stone Reporters News
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