Illegal taxes collection threatens development in Anambra

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State

Mr Achike Emejulu, Chairman Anambra State Internal Revenue Service says the collection of taxes by unidentified individuals in the state may constitute a threat to development strides in the state.

Emejulu said this on Thursday in Awka, when the state Acting Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and his management staff paid him a courtesy call at his office in Awka.

According to him the rate at which the unidentified individuals had been illegally collecting revenue are becoming alarming.

He said that such act could prevent the state from achieving its revenue target, if not checked and could cause delays to development strides in the state.

Emejulu noted that such unlawful collection of taxes had continued to put the administration of Gov. Willie Obiano in an awkward position.

Emejulu said in view of the findings, the service plan to introduce tax education through the establishment of tax clubs in primary and secondary schools in the state.

“This will be through encouraging schools’ debates and conferences, so as to educate the people on their civic responsibilities with particular reference to tax payments”.

He said the body was working round the clock to inaugurate a robust team on tax education and enlightenment, with the sole aim of improving the people’s consciousness through attitudinal change on tax settlement.

He said the team would have the media, the NOA, tax experts, the private sector and other stakeholders in tax administration as members, so as to inform the public on how to settle taxes via the right channels.

Responding the state Acting Director, NOA Dr Mike Ozoemena commended the executive chairman of the service for injecting new ideas in the state revenue management.

Ozoemena, assured the service, of their readiness to assist in creating awareness among the people on the right things to do to curb the excesses of such fraudulent persons.

The Assistant Director Programmes, NOA, Mr Joseph Uchendu called for a synergy between the two organizations, to improve the revenue base of the state.