Maduako Igbokwe l Tuesday, March 17, 2020
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Private school owners(Anambra State chapter) have embarked on three days strike to protest against state government’s imposition of tax, extortion and invasion of schools by its agents.
The body comprising National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and Owners of Private Schools Association of Nigeria (OPSAN) said the three days strike was to draw government attention to their plights.
According to them, Private schools in Anambra State have been complying with relevant levies such as Pay As You Earn, Personal Income Tax, and Developmental Levy without complaint until the emergence of vehicle branding.
Read Also NCC DG IN FRAUDULENT DEALS
A statement jointly signed by President of NAPPS, Mrs. Amaka Ezedebego and OPSAN President Evang Uzochukwu Nwanonyuo, made available to newsmen in Awka Anambra state described as outrageous the taxation and levies by Mr. David led Nzekwu Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue.
The statement read in part, “We wish to draw the attention of His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano to the outrageous and multiple taxation, levies, by the board of internal revenue; invasion of schools by thugs, destabilization of schools by government agencies; impounding of school buses and forceful disembarkation of school children from their school buses by the Ministry of Transport and Environment.
“We condemn in totality, the use of the police force and Magistrate Courts to extort money from private schools and so on. We therefore solicit governor’s intervention before private schools in Anambra State are submerged in limbo. Furthermore, it is against the National Education Minimum Standards Law of Nigeria for persons other than Inspector of Education to enter duly accredited and registered education facilities to demand for government revenue”, the statement added.
The group called on the state government to call Mr. Nzekwu to order, saying that on May 2005, government approved that private schools shall only pay Application fee, registration fee and renewal fee. According to them ,fees such as business premises, sanitation fees, bill board levies should not be collected from private schools because they pay directly to the Ministry of Education through government designated bank accounts.
Read Also GAY LOVER DIES IN QUEST FOR SEX
The groups further disclosed that all previous complaints made to the Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, and other relevant stakeholders demanding that right things be done fell on deaf ears.
“We have equally protested in writing to all the ministries involved in this marginalisation and victimisation of private schools but all to no avail. This prompted our decision to ‘Sit at home’s for three days as a protest to express how badly we have been treated.
“Consequent upon the foregoing development, we the Coalition of Private Schools Union in Anambra State call on our beloved and amiable governor to come to our rescue by permitting us to pay what we have been paying before as contained in the letter dated September 25, 2012”, the groups appealed.
They urged government to see them as partners in providing social services to the public , rather than treating them as business ventures. Reacting to the strike, the state Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha said the state government had met with private school operators in Anambra state with a view to addressing the challenges facing the sector.
“We have met with executives of the different associations today. Our discussions are constructive. The Obiano government is a listening one so I believe that both sides were open during the discussions. We will meet again on Thursday, 19th March, 2020. In the meantime, school activities will continue as scheduled”, she said.
