The Abia State Government has designated five historical and natural sites as heritage monuments as part of efforts to preserve the state’s history, promote tourism and create new economic opportunities.
The sites were grouped into two categories: State Monuments and State Natural Monuments.
The State Monuments are the National War Museum in Umuahia, Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia and Government College Umuahia. The State Natural Monuments are Ibom Waterfall in Arochukwu and Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu said the designation would help protect the state’s historical and natural heritage while strengthening its tourism potential.
He also disclosed that renovation and retrofitting work at the Ojukwu Bunker and National War Museum had reached about 80 per cent completion and was expected to be completed before the end of the year.
According to him, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy had also received approval to develop the Ibom Waterfall Tourism Corridor in Arochukwu, with work already underway.
The commissioner further said the government had begun erecting monuments at strategic locations to honour notable figures and preserve Abia’s cultural identity, including a planned monument for the women who participated in the 1929 Aba Women’s uprising.
Meanwhile, Kanu dismissed reports that the government had introduced new tax increases.
He said the tax rates circulating online were largely introduced in 2020 and were not new levies imposed by the Otti administration.
He also denied claims that akara sellers were being charged ₦50,000 in taxes, explaining that they pay daily tolls instead.
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