The court case filed by the Abia State government two years ago against the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, (MOUAU) for non remittance of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax will be withdrawn.
This was made known by Governor Alex Otti while receiving the management of the University, led by its Vice Chancellor, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe at his home in Isiala Ngwa South.
Otti, who was responding to the appeal made by the University’s management for withdrawal of the case filed by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service, said that the matter which predated his administration, would be settled amicably.
“There is no way, we as a government would take you to court. Since it is something that predated us we are going to look into it. There is nothing we cannot sit down and resolve,” he said.
Governor Otti also promised to engage the university and its border communities in resolving issues militating against the chances of the university getting the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for its land acquired, recalling how his administration compensated the owners of about 150 demolished buildings along Ossah road Umuahia before commencement of road construction.
Meanwhile, Otti, who charged the Investigation Panel on students’ riot to be open-minded in the discharge of its duties, tasked the members to dig out the real cause of the riot which led to the closure of the school.
He expressed worry at the academic distortion caused by the students’ riot and subsequent closure of the school, saying the situation was dangerous for the younger generation.
Earlier in his appeal, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Iwe, begged the Governor to expedite action on issuing the university a Certificate of Occupancy, saying that it would help the school secure its property.
