The Abia State government has denied allegations that it is imposing excessive taxes and enforcement on businesses and individuals. In a statement, Emmanuel Okpechi, Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Internally Generated Revenue, said the administration has abolished touting and introduced a Single Treasury Account to improve accountability. The government also refuted rumours that it would levy N450 million on each filling station in the state, calling the claim “false, bogus and illogical” because such a charge would leave stations with no revenue to operate.
Okpechi explained that the newly created Harmonized Task Force has halted multiple ticketing and extortion practices. All government revenues are now deposited into a single account, which helps prevent leakages, enhances cash management and curbs opaque accounting. The daily e‑ticket for tricycles is N500, an amount agreed upon by tricycle unions as manageable.
The administration also denied any agreement to give 15 percent of Abia State’s 2025 revenue to Access Bank. Instead, it described the relationship as a “professional partnership to strengthen financial processes and technology.” Residents are urged to use approved channels—such as AbiaPay, banks and authorized PoS/e‑channels—for payments and to request e‑receipts. They are also advised to report any touting activity, unofficial tickets or cash demands to the Harmonized Task Force.
These measures aim to promote transparency and accountability in revenue collection. By implementing the Single Treasury Account and the Harmonized Task Force, the government seeks to prevent extortion and ensure fair treatment of businesses and individuals. As the reforms continue, it is essential for residents to use the designated payment channels and report any irregularities to the authorities.
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