Maduako Igbokwe l Wednesday, July 13, 2022
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Market men and women at the Eke Awka market in Awka South Local Government Council of Anambra State have lamented over the new tax regime of the governor of the state Prof Charles Soludo.
The lamenting traders , include vegetable, Okoro , groundnut and hawkers who are being forced to pay multiple of N200 on daily basis.
Our reporter’s finding show that shops owners in the market are being taxed N14,200.00 why the hawkers are randomly forced to pay N200,00 at various time and places every day.
Recall, that Soludo had during a meeting with Parks and Market executives in Awka hinted about introducing a new tax regime in the state. He said that the new tax regime has become imperative as the era of revenue generation through the sale of crude oil was gradually phasing out.
According to him, since February this year, no remittance had been done from NNPC into the federation account as money accruable from the sale of crude oil was gradually dwindling.
Last week Thursday , Eke Awka market manager used bells to announce that every trader in the market has between Tuesday to Friday to pay N14,2000 as stallage rent and others fees.
Speaking to our reporter in Awka, former chairman of Eke Awka Market 4B Emeka Onyemaechi said that on July 1st the state governor had banned all cash payment of government money but it is surprising that people entered the market demanding for payment without information from the government.
“Last week Thursday I was inside my shop , some people started ringing bells ,announcing that everybody should come out and pay for his stallage and other fees from Tuesday . I asked them how much and they said N14,200.00 per shop. On Friday I went to Anambra state board of internal revenue to find out the true position.
The information I got was that on Tuesday ,they are coming to capture all shops in the market and everybody will pay N2,000 .00 for the capturing and after that government will give account number where traders will pay their fees .
Unfortunately , on Tuesday (holiday) they started the capturing and collection of the N14,200.00. They forced people to the market office where over 20 POS were stationed and people without cash were asked to use their ATM to pay. After that I called the revenue office again and complained, they said we should pay ” he said.
He called on the state government to quickly address the issues of hiring private persons to collect revenue for the state government.
According to him, the government should have passed circular to the market leaders about the development if actually the payment originates from the government.
He however, he said that despite all this some people are still extorting money from poor hawkers in the market He said that all the women who bring fresh vegetable , Okoro, groundnut and others are being taxed N200 at each point in the market and whoever argue with them would be beaten to stupor.
Another trader in the market , Mr Kene Obunna said that it is sad that the government was just forcing people to pay revenue using those who do not have shop in the market.
According to him, the chairman of the market is living in a hotel without a single shop in Eke Awka and he does not know the problems traders face in the market. He said he is using young men to intimidate people to pay or risk being beaten.
Speaking to one elderly woman Mrs Nkiru Obiora who hawks vegetable in the market, she said that it was tough for them coming to the market and pay multiple level of N200.
According to her, she pay up to N600 any day she brings vegetable into the market, saying that if you argue with the collectors they will beat you without minding your age.
A source in Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue , who never wanted his name on print confirmed that the state government has approved N14,200 payment for payment in Eke Awka market .
According to him, government commenced the enumeration of traders in the market last Tuesday and after the capturing everybody was given a code number to go and pay into government approved banks and POS.
He said the payment in Eke Awka market is N12,200.00 and N2000 for the capturing of traders thereby bringing the total to N14,200. According to him, the capturing money cover the sticker and identity card. He said the identity card is N700 while the sticker which will be placed in their shops is N1,300.
However , when contacted the state Commissioner for Commence , Dr. Obinna Ngonadi said he cannot comment on the matter and he switched off his phone. Meanwhile, the press secretary to Governor Soludo , Mr. Christian Aburime said that government will at appropriate time issues a statement about the issues.
According to him, he cannot confirm if the state governor has approved the collection or not. “Just give us time we shall reach out to you on the development in Eke Awka” he said.
The break down of the eke Awka market fee is as follows:
- Market stallage fee — N4,800.00
- Market development fee-N2,400.00
3.Markey traders fee N3,000.00
4.pollution /sanitation fee N2,000.00
5.Biometric market registration N700.00
6.Market operation fee N1,300.00.
