PAN Decries Arbitrary Revenue Demand In Rivers

The Poultry Association
of Nigeria (PAN), Rivers State Chapter, has decried the activities of both local and state revenue agents, saying it is arbitrary and outrageous.
The PAN Chairman, Comrade Bestman U. Wokele made the observation while delivering his address at the inauguration of the newly elected executive yesterday in Port Harcourt.
He said such demands come in the guise of operational permit, tenement and effluent discharge fees for two years, regardless of the farmers’ plight.
Wokele hinted that a poultry farmer was asked to pay upto N240,000 in a demand/verification note sent to his farm.
He regretted that such agents come with security operatives to intimidate farmers in the state.
The farmer, also to achieve their aim urged the government to be sensitive to poultry farmers’ plight and always remember the universal slogan of “No farmer, no nation”.
As a way forward, he called on the state government through the Ministry of Agriculture to intervene and regulate the activities of revenue agents in order to encourage farmers in their business.
He further listed certificate of occupancy (C of O) as another bottle-neck in poultry production, hinting that the available loan facilities are tied for only owners of property with C of O.
According to him, Nigeria is number one in egg production in Africa and rank fifth in broiler production in Africa with upto 15 million jobs created by the industry.
He called on the new executive to ensure that PAN in the state maintains its position in the poultry business.
Earlier, the Rivers State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mrs Ominim Jack who spoke through the Director of Live Stock and Veterinary Services, Dr A.K. Emejuru, called on the association to register with the ministry as to enable them benefit from government.
He also expressed satisfaction over PAN’s determination to keep poultry business going in the state.