ONICCIMA Criticizes Multiple Taxation

The Onitsha Chamber of
Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), on Friday criticised the current incidents of multiple taxation in Anambra.
“Appropriate authorities concerned should check the ugly trend to stop investment flight in the state,’’ the President of the Chamber, Dr. Tim Anosike, said.
Anosike made the remark during the ONICCIMA 25th Annual Luncheon and Award Ceremony in Onitsha.
He noted that multiple taxation and illegal levies were putting a substantial percentage of micro, small and medium enterprises out of business in the state.
He lamented that so many people were engaged in collection of taxes and levies from business operators, petty traders, buyers, transporters, among others.
“These collectors are mostly found in markets, motor parks, junctions and on the streets, without knowing who they are working for, where the money they collect do go to and what their identities are.
“The state government as a matter of urgency should publish and publicise all its approved taxes and levies, as well as authorised agencies for their collection.
“As part of moves to curb the ugly trend, which would also make more revenue to accrue to the government and nobody would be short changed anymore,’’ the chamber boss advised.
Meanwhile, the chamber bestowed various honorary awards to certain personalities, including a Nigerian Breweries and Guinness Breweries major distributor in Onitsha, Chief Nathaniel Ofoma; a prominent Onitsha-based importer, Chief Gilbert Obi; a legal luminary, Harold Ekwerekwu, among others.
Ofoma bagged a Honorary Life Vice Presidency of the Chamber; while Obi and Ekwerekwu bagged the Fellowship of the Chamber on the Niger.