Commercial Banks Protest Alleged Excessive Taxes

Some commercial banks in Owerri last Wednesday protested against alleged excessive taxes being imposed on them by the Imo Government.

 Reports  say that the gates to these banks were locked and manned by mobile policemen.

Hundreds of customers were seen at the gates of banks along Bank, Wetheral and Douglas Roads in Owerri.

The affected banks included First Bank, Zenith Bank and Access Bank.

Their officials, who pledged anonymity, alleged that the state government had imposed N200, 000 monthly tax on each branch.

“About N2.4 million tax a year for every branch in this state is simply excessive and exploitative and that is why we are protesting,’’ one of them said.

Mr Hyginus Nwankwo, a trader at Owerri Main Market, told NAN that he was at his bank to transfer money to a business partner in Lagos only to meet the situation.

“I understand that it has to do with the tax government wants them to pay and we are now suffering,’’ he said.

Attempts to get the reaction of Dr. Obinna Duruji, the State Commissioner for Information, on the issue failed as he was said to be at a meeting.

However, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media (Print), Mr Ebere Uzokwa, said there was a misunderstanding between the bankers and the government which was being sorted out.