Over 90 % of taxes collected in Anambra ends up in private pockets, says ONICCIMA

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), has stated that over 90 per cent of taxes collected in Anambra state are not remitted to government’s account.

The Chamber’s Director-General, Stanley Anyadufu, made the disclosure   when he received members of the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC) and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Onitsha Anambra state on Friday.

According to him, most of the state revenues finally end up into private pockets. He  called on the state  government to digitalise taxation processes to stop revenue leakage and for proper accountability.

Anyadufu however, decried the   increasing non remittance of taxes by illegal collectors in the state. According to him, digital collection of taxes would put an end to the ugly trend of leakages.

“Collection of taxes in more civilised manner, include digitizing and creating tax offices at strategic points in the city will help people make their payments and documentation seamless. You do not need to be stopping people on the road, blocking major roads and causing traffic gridlocks in order to collect taxes, ” he said

He also said that the Monday sit-at-home was seriously  affecting  businesses negatively in the state, particularly in Onitsha.

“Though some youths are enjoying the sit-at-home as they take advantage of it to exercise and catch their fun, for us in the private sector, it is tough. If businesses do not open and sales were not made, income does not come in thereby shortening wages. What the state loses each Monday runs into billions.

“We are even informed that businesses are relocating to neighbouring towns where they can easily access the traders. But we are hopeful it will end soon,” he said.

Earlier, the Manager, JDPC Onitsha/FCDO project, Mr Alphonsus Nwoye said  the engagement with ONICCIMA was to understand the challenges facing businesses in the state.

According to him, the recommendations from the engagement would be sent to the state government for implementation.