The Abia State Government has dismissed reports claiming that women who sell akara on the streets of the state are being charged ₦50,000 in taxes, describing the allegation as false.
The government also rejected claims that school proprietors and other business operators are being subjected to excessive taxation.
Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, made this known on Monday in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu said the administration had abolished multiple taxation and had not introduced any new taxes, contrary to allegations being circulated by opposition elements.
Addressing the viral claim about akara sellers, the commissioner said they do not pay taxes or levies but are only required to pay daily tolls.
“There is another one trending. It is the story of an akara seller who is paying N50,000 as tax. This is pure fallacy and nothing can be farther from the truth as akara sellers don’t pay tax or levies but they pay daily tolls,” he said.
Kanu further explained that the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue lacks the authority to increase taxes without approval from the State House of Assembly.
The commissioner also dismissed claims that the government was pressured by the opposition into commencing gratuity payments to pensioners, insisting that the administration’s decisions were not influenced by such pressure.
