Abia Government Reaffirms Commitment to Fair Taxation and Transparent Revenue Reforms

The Abia State Government has dismissed recent allegations of “draconian taxation” and “ruthless enforcement,” describing them as false and misleading. The administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, says its ongoing revenue reforms are designed to protect citizens, eliminate touting, and restore transparency in the state’s financial system.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Dr. Emmanuel Okpechi, the government outlined key facts behind its people-centered revenue reforms.

No More Touts, One Harmonised Enforcement:

On assumption of office, Governor Otti introduced a three-month moratorium on daily collections to phase out tout-driven harassment and create a transparent digital system. Enforcement has since been streamlined under a single Harmonised Task Force to end multiple tickets and extortion.

Treasury Single Account (TSA) for Accountability:

The government has fully implemented the Treasury Single Account (TSA) model. According to the statement, all revenues now go into a single account, while all expenditures are made from the same account. This measure plugs leakages, improves cash management, and ensures real-time reconciliation and audit trails.

Ease of Doing Business: Central Billing and Receipts:

Collections have been centralised under the Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) to prevent multiple taxation. Citizens and businesses now receive consolidated demand notices and e-receipts through approved channels such as AbiaPay, banks, PoS, card, transfer, or USSD. The Ease of Doing Business Council has also been established to make the system more predictable and investor-friendly.

Fair and Competitive Rates:

The government stressed that its reviewed rates are modest and remain lower than benchmarks in many South-East and South-South states. For instance, the daily e-ticket for tricycle operators is fixed at ₦500, an amount agreed upon after consultations with unions eliminating previous payments to non-state actors at loading bays.

Refuting False Claims:

The government dismissed as “bogus and illogical” claims that filling stations are charged ₦450 million each. “If a single station were to pay ₦450 million in fees, what revenue would be left for them to operate? There is no such levy anywhere in Abia’s approved schedules,” the statement read.

Cash-Lite Payments and Partnerships:

Abia now operates a digital, cash-lite payment system to prevent leakages and protect taxpayers. Every payment generates an official e-receipt. The government also clarified that its partnership with Access Bank is strictly professional, aimed at strengthening financial processes, and does not grant the bank any percentage of collections.

Civic Duty and Shared Prosperity:

Dr. Okpechi emphasized that taxation in Abia is anchored on fairness and reinvestment.

“Tax is the government’s share of the prosperity it enables invested back into roads, markets, health, and security to help businesses and families thrive,” he said, noting that citizens are already responding positively by paying through approved channels.

What Citizens Should Do:

– Register for the Abia State Social Security Identification Number (ABSSIN) to ensure fair rates and broaden the tax base.

– Pay only through approved platforms such as AbiaPay, banks, or PoS/e-channels and always demand e-receipts.

– Report touting, unofficial tickets, or cash demands to the BIR or the harmonised task force.

The statement reassured citizens that the Otti-led administration remains committed to fairness, transparency, and inclusive growth.