Palpable fear gripped traders in Onitsha and its environs Thursday as the Anambra State Government, through the Director, Anambra North zone of Anambra Internal Revenue Service, (AIRS), Mr Christian Madubuko, stormed three markets to enforce payment of market stallage levy.
The Director, who came to
Abada market, Ogbaru (Relief), Main Market and Ogbogwu, (Drug market at
Bridgehead, warned that he would not leave any stone unturned in a bid to
recover all debts owed to the State Government.
"For those who have
not complied with the payment of stallage levy of #12,200,00 per year, they should
try and comply otherwise by Saturday morning, it is going to be hot for them as
their shops will be sealed.
"We target #4billion
each month from market stallage levies. The traders are complying in their
payment but they need to do more. My mission is to make sure Government money
is paid," he warned.
On the allegation that so
many bodies collect money on behalf of the State Government, he advised traders
to report such illegal revenue collectors to the police and other security
operatives, adding that only the State Internally Generated Revenue Agency is
authorized to collect revenue for the State.
In his response on behalf
of the traders, the Ogbaru Relief, (Main) market chairman, Chief Ndubuisi
Ochiogu, thanked the Director and his entourage for making out time to
physically come to the markets and stressed the need for the payment of the
stallage levies.
"I am sure that now
that the enforcement team has come into the market, the traders will comply.
Already I have directed through the market drum crier, that those who have not
paid to immediately pay to avoid their shops being locked up.
"We are happy that
the team came because I have been telling them but some have not taken it
seriously. At least within the week and up to next week, most of them will pay to
avoid embarrassment," he affirmed.
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