Multiple Taxation, Levies Worry Umuahia Residents

Residents of Umuahia, the capital of Abia State have expressed worry over incidences of multiple taxation and levies charged them by government agencies and ministries.

The state government in its bid to shore-up its internally generated revenue had intensified efforts in the implementation of sundry charges on business premises and residential buildings.

Some of those charges, which include ASEPA, Business Premises, desilting levy, infrastructural levy and local government levy, are collected by consultants on behalf of the government.

Each building under the physically planning and infrastructural development levy is expected to pay between N10, 000 and N20, 000 depending on its nature.

Mr Ubani Kalu told newsmen that the activities of the government amounted to double taxation “because it is expected that once you pay property rate, no other charge will be required.

“What is however embarrassing is the method of collecting these funds. You see these consultants harassing residents with uniformed men.

“In the past few days, so many shops where closed due to the magnitude of the harassment.’’

He described some policies of the government as anti-people aimed at impoverishing the masses.

Kalu said the several levies charged them were not justified.

A shop operator at Umu Agu, a suburban community in Umuahia told newsmen in anonymity that the business climate in the state was no longer friendly.

The shop operator said that she had been forced to pay more than N7, 000 in the midst of threats of prosecution for a little shop she occupied in the community.

Efforts to get at the Chairman of the Abia Physical Planning and Infrastructural Development Funds proved abortive as the security man at the office complex said he was out of town.

However, the state government had indicated willingness to streamline the activities of the several consultants that posed as government agents.

Mr Don Ubani, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, had told newsmen that some of the acclaimed consultants were not recognised by government.

Ubani said that the state government would soon make public the names of consultants that would be collected levies in the state.