UMUAHIA, NIGERIA — The Abia State Government has designated five historical locations as heritage monuments to boost tourism and preserve the state’s cultural heritage, while dismissing recent allegations of excessive tax hikes as unfounded.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, announced the designations on Monday during a press briefing in Umuahia, following the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. He listed the newly designated heritage sites as the Ngwa War Museum, the Aba Women’s Riot Memorial Site, the Arochukwu Long Juju Slave Route, the Umuahia War Museum, and the Ogbonnaya Onu Heritage Centre.
“These sites represent significant chapters in the history of Abia State and Nigeria as a whole. By designating them as heritage monuments, we are not only preserving our history but also creating opportunities for tourism, job creation, and economic development,” Kanu stated.
The Commissioner explained that the designation would involve the rehabilitation and upgrading of facilities at the sites, including visitor centres, museums, and interpretive signage. He said the government would also train tour guides and promote the sites to domestic and international tourists. He noted that the state had partnered with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to develop a sustainable tourism plan.
Kanu revealed that the Abia State Government had allocated N2.5 billion in the 2026 budget for the development of the heritage sites and other tourism infrastructure. He said the government was also working with private sector investors to develop hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality facilities near the sites.
“Tourism is a major pillar of our economic diversification agenda. We have the history, we have the culture, and we have the sites. What we need is the infrastructure and the marketing to attract visitors. That is what we are building,” he said.
The Commissioner also addressed recent allegations by some groups that the state government had imposed excessive taxes on residents and businesses. He described the allegations as “false and misleading,” noting that the government had not introduced any new taxes since Governor Otti assumed office in 2023.
“There is no iota of truth in the claim that the Abia State Government has increased taxes. The Otti administration has not imposed any new taxes. What we have done is to improve tax collection efficiency and ensure that those who are supposed to pay taxes do so. We have also eliminated multiple taxation and illegal levies that were previously imposed by touts and unauthorised persons,” Kanu stated.
The Commissioner explained that the government had simplified the tax system and introduced a digital payment platform to make it easier for residents and businesses to pay their taxes. He said the government had also reduced the tax burden on small businesses and low-income earners, in line with Governor Otti’s commitment to supporting the informal sector.
“The allegations of excessive taxation are being peddled by those who benefited from the old system of multiple taxation and illegality. We will not be distracted by their propaganda. Our focus is on creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and for our people to prosper,” he said.
Stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sector have welcomed the designation of the heritage sites, describing it as a positive development that would boost visitor numbers and create jobs. The President of the Abia State Tourism Association, Mr. Chukwudi Nwafor, said the sites had the potential to become major tourist attractions if properly developed and marketed.
“Abia is blessed with rich history and culture. The designation of these sites is a step in the right direction. We urge the government to ensure that they are properly developed and maintained so that they can attract tourists from within and outside Nigeria,” Nwafor said.
The government has also announced plans to establish a tourism board to oversee the development and promotion of the sites, as well as to coordinate with other agencies and stakeholders. The board is expected to be inaugurated in October 2026.
