The Abia State government has refuted allegations of imposing excessive taxation and enforcement on businesses and individuals in the state. According to a statement by Emmanuel Okpechi, Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Internally Generated Revenue, the government has abolished touting and introduced a Single Treasury Account to enhance accountability.
The state government has also denied rumors of imposing a N450 million levy on each filling station in Abia. Okpechi explained that the introduction of the Harmonized Task Force has stopped multiple ticketing and extortion in the state. He noted that all government revenues are paid into a single account, which helps to prevent leakages, improve cash management, and tackle opaque accounts.
The daily e-ticket for tricycles is N500, an amount agreed upon by tricycle unions as manageable. Okpechi described the claim of N450 million being charged per filling station as “false, bogus, and illogical,” arguing that such a levy would leave no revenue for the stations to operate.
Additionally, the government denied any agreement to give 15 percent of Abia State’s 2025 revenue to Access Bank. Instead, the two entities are engaged in a “professional partnership to strengthen financial processes and technology.” Okpechi urged residents to use approved channels such as AbiaPay, banks, and approved PoS/e-channels for payments and to insist on e-receipts. He also advised reporting any touting activity, unofficial tickets, or cash demands to the Harmonised Task Force.
The Abia State government’s measures aim to promote transparency and accountability in revenue collection. By introducing a Single Treasury Account and the Harmonized Task Force, the government seeks to prevent extortion and ensure that businesses and individuals are treated fairly. As the state continues to implement these reforms, it is essential for residents to be aware of the approved payment channels and to report any irregularities to the authorities.
