ABIA STATE GOVT EXTENDS ILLEGAL STRUCTURE DEMOLITION DEADLINE
REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Abia State Government says it is extending its daedline by two weeks on the proposed demolition of illegal extension and building attachments in Umuahia the state capital to ensure modesty.
The Commissioner for information and Culture in the state, Prince Okey Kanu announced this while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s Executive Council meeting.
Prince Kanu noted that the demolition was part of effort by the state government to give a human face to its determination to give the state capital a facelift in terms infrastructural development.
According to the Commissioner, the state government will this week inaugurate the reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ozuakoli-Ohafia road that has been in deplorable condition.
On revenue collection in the state, Prince Kanu reiterated that government had outlawed multiple taxation, stressing that a new single multi-purpose agency would be introduced for the collection of government revenue.
Shadding more light on the proposed demolition, the General Manager Umuahia Capital Development Authority, (UCDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomuo, said affected illegal structures had been identified since November 2023 while government had engaged owners of the structures.
Answering questions from newsmen on the activities of touts in Aba and Umuahia, the Commissioner for Budget and planning, Mr. Kingsley Anosike and the Special Adviser to the Governor on media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, said payment of taxes and other levies approved by government were remitted electronically.
They maintained that drastic measures would be taken against anybody caught harassing people on taxes and other levies.
Mr. Ekeoma further cleared the air on the move by state government to purchase vehicles at the cost of thirteen billion naira.
He explained that the vehicles were meant for government ministries and agencies and not for the personal use of the governor.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
