Abia Tourism sector gets boost as State Govt approves historic monument sites

The Abia State Government  has
approved some historical sites in the state as State’s Monuments and State’s Natural Monuments as part of ongoing efforts to preserve Abia’s rich history, promote tourism and unlock new economic opportunities.

The sites for state’s monuments include; the National War Museum Umuahia, Ojukwu Bunker Umuahia, Government College Umuahia while the State’s Natural Monuments include Ibom Waterfall Arochukwu and the Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi , Bende LGA.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday September, 14, 2026 at Government House Umuahia, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor, Alex Otti.

Prince Kanu said that the designation would strengthen the State Government’s efforts to preserve its cultural and natural heritage while positioning the sites for wider international recognition.

“These sites have been elevated to heritage sites that enhances the State’s tourism potential.

“With this approval, they are primed to attract recognition as UNESCO Heritage Sites.”Prince Kanu stated.

Prince Kanu also announced that Aba has been designated a Creative and Innovative City, in recognition of its longstanding commercial, industrial and creative significance.

The Commissioner disclosed that the retrofitting of the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum had reached about 80 per cent completion and was expected to be concluded before the end of 2026.

He said the projects, when completed, would enhance the preservation of the historical value of the sites, improve visitors’ experience and further strengthen their tourism potential.

Prince Kanu further informed that, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has received approval to develop the Ibom Waterfall Tourism Corridor in Arochukwu.

He said work had already commenced on the project, including the grading of access roads to the waterfall, and was expected to be completed before the end of the year.

He equally said the project would help unlock additional tourism and economic opportunities for the State.

The Commissioner also disclosed that the Ministry had commenced the erection of monuments at strategic locations across the State to preserve Abia’s heritage, honour its heroes and heroines and promote the State’s cultural identity.

Among the monuments is one dedicated to the heroines of the 1929 Aba Women’s riot, celebrating their courage, resilience, resistance and leadership.

The Commissioner used the opportunity to exonerate the State Government from the alleged excessive tax collection by the State Government, which went viral recently.

He therefore clarified that the rates being referenced were not new, and that, the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Services could not unilaterally increase taxes without the backing of enabling legislation. He reiterated that no new tax increases had been introduced by the present administration.

“For starters, these rates are not new. Most of the rates are 2020 tax rates that were introduced by the previous government.”

“Let me reiterate that the Board of Internal Revenue cannot raise tax rates without the backing of enabling laws. And no such increases have been introduced by the Abia State Government.”

The Commissioner also explained that demand notices issued by the BIR were provided for under the law and urged taxpayers to comply with the provisions of the relevant tax laws, noting that legitimate concerns would be duly addressed by BIR officials.

Prince Kanu dismissed as false reports that akara sellers were being made to pay N50,000 in taxes.

“This is pure fallacy. Nothing can be further from the truth. Akara sellers don’t pay tax or levies. They pay daily tolls. And none can pay as high as 50,000 Naira.”

He described the reports as misinformation and urged members of the public to disregard them.

On the payment of outstanding gratuity owed to retired workers by previous administrations, the Commissioner disclosed that payments covering the period from 2001 to 2010 had been made, while preparations were ongoing for the next batch covering 2011 to 2025.

He dismissed claims that the State Government only commenced gratuity payments because of pressure from the opposition.

Prince Kanu explained that the payments were being made in batches because of the substantial financial resources required to settle the outstanding liabilities.

“The payments will be in batches. The funds involved are huge for one balloon payment. And as Governor Alex Otti has proven these past three years-plus, he is one Governor that promises less and delivers more. The conclusion of payment of outstanding gratuities may happen earlier than we ever imagined. Let us therefore wait and see how the next batch of payments will unfold.”

The Commissioner also described as misleading, claims that the gratuity payments would continue until 2031. Rather ,he explained that the State Government’s Gratuity Committee had recommended the inclusion of gratuity provisions in the state’s 2026–2031 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and subsequent annual budgets to ensure that gratuity obligations would henceforth be systematically provided for to avoid further accumulation of gratuity arrears.

“That does not translate to payments being terminated in 2031. As the internal processes and verification of beneficiaries of these payments continue, due payments would still be made in batches . That is the information we made available to the public before the commencement of the first batch of payments. And this administration will not deviate from that,” Prince Kanu maintained.

Also the Chairman Abia State Board of internal Revenue Services, Mr. Uche Elekwachi noted that that rumour mongers were going around with misinformation about issues of tax.

“Some rumours are going around that akara sellers are told to be pay 50,000 Naira tax. It is not true.

“There are no rates in there (in the tax laws) and no revenue window there that was started by this government.

“This whole thing has always been in existence . The Abia Internally Generated Revenue Service Law was enacted in 2020 long before this government came onboard, so we need to make that clarification” Mr. Elekwachi clarified.

The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Mathew Ekwuribe and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr. Emmanuel Okpechi were present at the briefing.