The Abia State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has described the state government’s policy of compelling churches to pay signpost tax as a delicate issue that can affect the image of the state.
CAN in a letter addressed to the Governor, dated October 22, 2024, expressed its displeasure about the development and urged the Governor to intervene and rescind the policy.
The CAN letter signed by Rev Ojo Ojo Uduma, Chairman and Rev. Francis Okere, Secretary, called for a round table discussion between CAN and the state government on the way forward while cautioning that the signpost issue is a little but delicate matter that should be urgently looked into.
It was gathered that the policy was brought up by Abia State Signage and Advertising Agency, ABSAA, in accordance with existing laws that allow it to regulate advertising space as well as generate revenue for the State.
But defending her office on the issue, the Managing Director of ABSAA, Mrs Victoria Onwubiko, absolved Governor Alex Otti of having a hand in the tax policy, saying that the law which was made by the Abia State House of Assembly, allows her agency to regulate the advertising space in Abia.
Speaking on Flo FM Umuahia on Wednesday, Mrs Onwubiko said churches were only expected to pay regular fees on advertisements done outside their premises, not the ones within their premises.
” The letter has not even gotten to the Governor. The laws that set up the agency allows us to charge for signposts outside your church premises, not the ones within your premises.”
She also denied the allegations that her agency is asking local government Chairmanship candidates to compulsorily pay 1 million naira for each billboard they will mount.
She advised those concerned by her agency’s policies to approach her office and seek the way forward rather than running to the media.