Fear Grips Traders As Anambra Govt Storms Markets, Enforces Payment Of Stallage Levy

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

Palpable fear gripped traders in Onitsha and its environs thursday as the Anambra State Government, through the Director, Anambra North zone of Anambra Internal Revenue Service, AIRS, Hon. Christian Madubuko, stormed three markets to enforce payment of market stallage levy.

The Director, who came to Abada market , Ogbaru (Relief), Main market and Ogbogwu, (Drug market at Bridgehead, warned that he would not leave any stone unturned in a bid to recover all debts owed the State Government.

“For those who have not complied with the payment of stallage levy of #12,200,00 per year, they should try and comply otherwise by Saturday morning, it is going to be hot for them as their shops will be sealed.

“We target #4billion each month from market stallage levies. The traders are complying in their payment but they need to do more. My mission is to make sure Government money is paid,” he warned.

On the allegation that so many bodies collect money on behalf of the State Government, he advised traders to report such illegal revenue collectors to the police and other security operatives, adding that only the State Internally Generated Revenue Agency is authorized to collect revenue for the State.

In his response on behalf of the traders, the Ogbaru Relief, (Main) market chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, thanked the Director and his entourage for making out time to physically come to the markets and stressed the need for the payment of the stallage levies.

“I am sure that now that the enforcement team has come into the market, the traders will comply. Already I have directed through the market drum crier, that those who have not paid to immediately pay to avoid their shops being locked up.

“We are happy that the team came because I have been telling them but some have not taken it serious. At least within the week and up to next week, most of them will pay to avoid embarrassment,” he affirmed.