….. Calls for transparency on school renovation funds and reduced trader levies
Paul Ikonne, a former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, has strongly condemned Governor Alex Otti’s recent tax hikes imposed on traders in Aba, calling the policies “harsh” and detrimental to the city’s economic heartbeat.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Ujo Justice, Ikonne accused the governor of betraying his campaign promises. Aba traders, particularly at the Ariaria International Market, have seen a drastic increase in their tax rates, with the annual levy for a shop now exceeding ₦36,000, up from ₦18,000. With over 88,000 shops in the market, this means traders are now collectively paying more than ₦3.1 billion every year, a stark contrast to the governor’s pledge to reduce taxes.
This increase is not limited to Ariaria alone. Ikonne pointed out that traders at other key market clusters in Aba, such as Ekeoha Shopping Centre and Timber Market, are also facing similar burdens.
“The governor’s promise of lower taxes is now a distant memory, as traders are being suffocated by unaffordable levies,” Ikonne said, emphasising that these actions undermine the trust placed in Otti by Aba’s traders during his campaign.
Beyond the tax hikes, Ikonne demanded full transparency from Governor Otti concerning ₦54 billion allegedly spent on renovating 51 schools and ₦7 billion on recreational centres. He questioned the governor’s claims, urging Otti to provide detailed evidence of the purported school renovations.
“I call on Governor Otti to show us the 51 schools he claims to have renovated with ₦54 billion. Where are the schools? We need to see proof of where this money has gone,” Ikonne said.
The APC chieftain also criticized the governor for not honouring agreements made with traders under the previous administration. Under the previous terms, traders had been promised the opportunity to reclaim their shops after remodelling, but instead, they are now being asked to pay exorbitant amounts—up to ₦15 million—to re-acquire their spaces.
“This policy is harmful to traders who have already suffered enough, and it is anti-business. The agreement to allow traders to reclaim their shops should be honoured, not replaced with harsh financial burdens,” Ikonne added.
Ikonne further highlighted that Abia State, with its monthly federal allocation exceeding ₦30 billion, should be able to fund the provision of essential amenities such as water, electricity, and security in markets without overburdening traders.
“There is no reason why Aba traders should be squeezed for more when the government has the financial capacity to offer better services and facilities. These taxes and shop fees are exploitative and completely contrary to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he stated.
Ikonne concluded by urging Governor Otti to reconsider his approach, stressing that Aba, a city that serves as the economic engine of the state, should not be punished with excessive taxes without corresponding development. “A government that punishes its traders has failed in its duty to the people,” he said.
