Enugu Gov’t Seals Shops In Nsukka Over Tax Evasion

Many shops were sealed by the Enugu State Internal Revenue Board in the university community, Nsukka, over tax evasion by shop owners.

THE WHISTLER reports that owners of the affected shops locked up their shops and fled when they got wind of the sealing by the state revenue tax force operatives.

Some traders interviewed pleaded with the state government to make provisions for instalment payments.

A furniture dealer along Enugu Road, Mathew Omeje, said he was not pre-informed about the tax. He said he had expected the board to notify the shop owners in writing about the launch of the sealing.

According to him, “I was alerted that they were sealing shops this afternoon. My shop was open then. I called my boys to lock up to avoid arrest.

“I passed by and saw that my shop was sealed. My colleagues who met told me that the annual levy is ₦33,000.

“The worrisome part is that we were given today to settle the levy; failure to comply attracts an additional N6,000 fine. That is the condition we have found ourselves in.”

Malachy Eze operates a pub along Fen Park Junction. His shop was also sealed.

He said, “We have been begging the government to allow us to pay these levies in tranches, like three instalments in a year. But they don’t want to listen.

“Under this economic hardship, it is difficult for me in particular to settle the levy now. We are currently battling with paying school fees. Where can I generate N33,000? They said it will be N39,000 after today.”

A recharge card seller, Nkechi Eya, said the worth of what she sells is not up to ₦30,000. In her words, “I’ll close this shop and be operating under a tree. I sell in a kiosk that is not mine.

“I collect recharge cards on credit, sell and return the money realised to the major dealers. I make small profits daily. From where can I get the sum of N33,000?”

The Executive Secretary, State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr Emma Nnamani, had earlier explained that the tax is annual and unified.

According to him, the traders pay once a year, and it covers both state and local government levies.

Enugu Gov’t Seals Shops In Nsukka Over Tax Evasion is first published on The Whistler Newspaper