The Managing Director and chief Executive officer of Abia State Signages and Advertising Agency, ABSSAA, Honourable Mrs Victoria Onwubiko has cleared the air on the rumour making round the social media regarding the imposition of taxes on Churches by the Agency.
Honourable Victoria Onwubiko who featured on Flow FM live Radio Programme ” THE PLATFORM” Wednesday said the Agency did not impose tax on Churches rather, churches are asked to pay the usual Signage FEES as enshrined in the Abia State law number 09 of 2012.
Mrs Onwubiko stated that before her appointment as the MD/ CEO of the Agency , churches were already paying for the signage fees especially on bill boards placed outside the church premises, adding that the Agency is consolidating on the already existing practice in the discharge of duties
The ABSSAA Boss further said that the writers and sponsors of the letter to the Governor did not wait to hear from him before going to the media ,an action that has created doubt on the credibility of the letter. ,”There is no way a letter will be written to his Excellency the same day and goes to the media the same day without getting the Governor’s reaction.
Speaking on the Agency’s mandate, Honourable Victoria Onwubiko said that the agency is mandated with the responsibility of regulating signage, advertising structures and ensuring astatic environment. She highlighted some of the achievements of the Agency to include cleaning of the environment of unwanted structures and advert materials that do not conform with ABSSAA policy and creating stronge synergy between the agency and the advertising practitioners in the State which has paved way for a harmonious working relationship. She used the medium to advice churches not to see this present Government as working against them but as parties with the common goal of rebuilding Abia State.
