In a bid to widen the State’s tax net, and shore up internally generated revenue, the Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency ABSAA ,recently included church signposts as one of the taxable items in the state.
The taxation has garnered attention in the state, with many religious leaders kicking against it.
According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abia State Chapter, Abia is the only state in Nigeria demanding such a tax.
In a letter signed by the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Ojo Ojo Uduma, and its Secretary, Rev. Dr. Francis E. Okere, the religious body noted that Christians in the state could be perceive the “regime as anti-church” because of the policy.
It called on Governor Otti to revisit the matter and possibly rescind the decision.
“We passionately plead with your Excellency as a matter of urgency to carefully look into this matter and possibly rescind this policy to avoid compelling the Body of Christ in the State from seeing this regime as being anti-church,” part of the letter read.
The CAN leadership also suggested a roundtable discussion involving the state’s Christian leaders to find an amicable solution to the issue.
