Maduako Igbokwe l Wednesday, May 24, 2023
AWKA, Nigeria – Governor of Anambra State Prof Charles Soludo has expressed worries over the recent ferocious resurgence of Agboros and illegal revenue collectors in the state.
The governor said the activities of Agboros and illegal revenue collectors are the major hindrance to government revenue collections in the state.
The governor made statement through, the chairman of Anambra State Internal Revenue Service AIRS Mr Richard Madiebo ,while briefing journalists on the board’s activities to check illegal revenue collections in the state.
He also expressed worries that many touts are claiming to be enforcement agent of government, when nobody appointed them .
According to him,only two enforcement groups are established by government for purpose of revenue collection. He said the two enforcement teams recognized by government are Ocha Brigade and ANJET, noting that any other is not recognize by the government.
“We are worried by the sudden resurgence of Agboros and illegal revenue collectors in the state. In various places we are seeing people with various claims of authority to collect revenue for government.
“These are people who come in to harass and intimidate Ndi Anambra and they are becoming nuisance in our various places. Government can no longer tolerate them . They must be chased away. The Agboros we thought have gone in the state are suddenly coming back” he said.
He also stated that government has not given any revenue window to collect money for it , noting that every revenue window is suspended for now because of the abuses.
According to him, people are becoming law onto themselves, vowing that government will deal them appropriately. The governor, he said has made it known that the illegal revenue collectors and touts are tarnishing the image of the state and it will do everything thing possible to put them off the streets.
All that the government will do is to use police and military against these touts in one week, they will leave Anambra road, just the way umahi did in Ebony state and government will also need to watch the activity of these ANJET because they are causing more trouble for the state , because they more of tout in their work.