Anambra group threatens showdown over intimidation of AIRS revenue partner

Maduako Igbokwe I Friday, Oct.06, 2023

 

AWKA, Nigeria – A group known as , Concerned Anambra Citizens, (CAC), has frowned at the ugly developments happening in the revenue generating sector in the state.

According to the group, intimidation, frame-up and sheer propaganda have come to the fore in order to frustrate the efforts of Bigly Oil and Gas Services, one of the frontline Revenue Partners of the government.

The group said it may resort to showdown if the ugly situation is not urgently addressed in the state internal revenue services.

The past couple of days have been challenging for the Bigly revenue collection team, following orchestrated intimidation by some members of Anambra Internal Revenue Service, AIRS who have been using all illegitimate means of restraining the activities of the company.

Bigly Oil and Gas is authorised by the state government as Revenue Partners in a letter signed by Greg Ezeilo, the Chairman /CEO of the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, AIRS on September 1, 2023.

In a statement, the group’s President, Obi Mbamalu alleged that an insider at the AIRS , has been using very obnoxious means to prevent others from doing the work the government authorised them to do.

The statement reads in part: “We cannot but draw the attention of the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on the need to call some people to order as they have employed ‘a kill them before the grow’ tactic of putting other revenue collectors out of the system.

“It is worrisome that only yesterday, they connived with some security agents to arrest and parade legitimate workers of Bigly under the premise that they were illegal revenue collectors, only to parade the young men who are doing so much to be law-abiding and earning legitimate income.

“He has also been using members of the Ocha Brigade to run after members of other teams in order to advance the interest of the company he is fronting. We therefore call on the governor to use his good offices to forestall this man from putting a dent on the numerous great strides he is doing in Anambra, especially in the area of youth development, which the insider and his group are spoiling by arresting and labelling them as criminals and touts”.

The Concerned Anambra Citizens in another development promised that they would take to the streets in order to forestall what they called injustice against the youths of the state, if the insider and his group continue to propagate their divisive tendencies.