The high rate of tax evasion by individuals and corporate bodies doing business in Abia State has become a source of worry for the Abia State Government.

The State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who voiced the concern of government over poor tax returns, disclosed that only about one per cent of corporate organisations based in Aba were honouring their tax obligations.

Receiving a delegation of Anambra Developmemt Unions at Government House, Umuahia, Ikpeazu said that of the 84,000 business concerns in Aba only about 800 pay their taxes, describing the situation as worrisome.

While urging the tax evaders to have a change of heart, he said the taxes formed the bulk of government's Internally Generated Revenue with which government provides social and basic amenities for the populace.

The governor said that his administration was tackling the security situation in Aba, pointing out that influx of criminals from neighbourings states into Aba was responsible for high crime rate in the commercial city.

He expressed his desire to give every part of Aba the necessary facelift, assuring the group that he would not abandon Aba or any part of the state.

“This is a government that cannot afford to fail. I want to reassure you that some of the things we do come up naturally because I don’t know any other way of doing something than to do it properly and that is the way I am wired.

“As long as God empowers us, as long as there is breadth in me, I want to assure you that Aba is our Aba and we won't abandon it, we won't abandon Abia State. We will make sure that we give the best to our people all the times,” Ikpeazu said.

He also reassured his guests that his government has no plan of relocating the Ariaria International Market as was being rumoured by detractors of his government.

Earlier in his address, the President-General, Association of Anambra State Development Unions, Dr A. C .Okolo, recalled that Aba has had tremendous input from Anambra state indigenes, adding that they were always looking forward to a very cordial relationship with any government in Abia state to assist in the onerous task of moving the state forward.

Okolo requested the Governor to look into the issue of security in Aba as a way of attracting investment to the city and also invited him to attend their 2016 Anambra Day celebration scheduled to hold in November.

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.