Tax Holidays, ICT Hubs, More Jobs: Opah Reveals Economic Plan for Abia

Tax Holidays, ICT Hubs, More Jobs: Opah Reveals Economic Plan for Abia

All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Eric Opah, has outlined plans to review the state’s tax regime, introduce measures including tax holidays and expand technology training for young people as part of his economic proposals ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

In an Interview, Opah said his economic programme would place emphasis on creating an environment in which small businesses, artisans, traders and young entrepreneurs could operate and expand.

He argued that government could not directly employ everyone and should instead concentrate on improving the conditions that enable private businesses to create jobs.

“Abia has a large self-employed population,” Opah said during the interview, explaining that his administration would seek to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

For young people, Opah proposed the establishment of ICT hubs that would provide training in areas including cybersecurity and robotics.

He said the objective would be to shift emphasis from certificates alone towards practical skills and employability, helping young Abians qualify for opportunities within and outside the state.

Opah also said his international business and logistics experience would be used to connect Abia businesses, particularly enterprises operating in Aba, with wider markets.

According to him, businesses in Aba require stronger links with international markets, while the state must create a secure and predictable environment capable of attracting investors.

He said investors could not simply be ordered to come into the state, arguing instead that Abia would have to demonstrate that it offered a safe and commercially viable environment for investment.

The APC candidate also identified transportation, electricity and taxation as major issues affecting traders and small-scale producers.

He said traders needed efficient transportation systems to move goods from one location to another, while artisans and small businesses required stable electricity to reduce production difficulties.

On taxation, Opah said his administration would review the existing tax regime and consider tax holidays as one of the measures for stimulating commercial activity.

“The biggest challenge that I see with the set of artisans [and] traders currently is the issue of taxes,” he said, adding that tax relief would form part of his government’s economic focus.

Opah also acknowledged road construction undertaken by the current and previous administrations but argued that infrastructure policy should go beyond building roads to consider how farmers, traders and producers use those roads to reach markets.

He linked that position to his broader argument that government performance should be assessed through practical outcomes rather than slogans.

Drawing on his background in global logistics, Opah told the programme that accountability and efficiency had shaped his business experience and would influence his approach to public administration.

The APC declared Opah winner of its May 2026 governorship primary. Although the outcome was challenged by fellow aspirant Henry Ikoh, the Abia State APC subsequently reiterated that Opah remained its candidate for the 2027 election.