Lifestyle

Anambra govt kicks off tax drive, to recoup N513bn

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In adherence to the mandate of Governor Charles Soludo, the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) revealed it will commence enforcement of collection of all outstanding tax bills in the state from April 1.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Richard Madiebo, the new Chairman of AIRS, signed by Mrs Sylvia Tochukwu-Ngige, Deputy Director/Head, Taxpayer Education and Enlightenment Team, in Awka.

Madiebo said that the enforcement would include social bills, including signages and waste management.

The immediate past Chairman of AIRS, Dr David Nzekwu, had disclosed that the state government had an outstanding bill of N513.9 billion payable by no fewer than 2.1 million taxpayers.

Nzekwu said this amount was captured in its database under the Anambra Social Service Identity (ANSSID) number.

We have generated a total collectible bill of N513.9 billion as of January 2022 against 2.1 million taxpayers in the state.

This means that if my successor can ensure payment of this bill by indebted individuals, and they begin to make payment, the government will have a lot of money,” the former chairman had said.

In his statement, Madiebo urged Anambra residents to check the ANSSID portal for their status in order to ensure the appropriate tax filings.

“The enforcement team from AIRS will be enforcing payment of taxes and levies, including Business Premises Permit, Waste Management (ASWAMA), Signage (ANSAA), and fire service compliance.

“Anambra residents are advised by this announcement to check their ANSSID status to confirm if they have paid.

“They can visit any commercial bank of their choice using their ANSSID number to pay, Madiebo said.

He advised payers not to leave the pay-point with evidence of payment alone, but to ensure confirmation that the money had dropped into Anambra Government’s account.

“Be a partner in the development that Gov. Charles Soludo is bringing to us, please, pay your tax,” the AIRS boss urged residents.

Politics

APC accuses Anambra govt of corruption, charges EFCC to probe state’s finances

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the Anambra State finances in a bid to uncover monumental corruption in the state.

The APC Chairman in the state, Chief Basil Ejidike, made the call in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Chief Dan Okeke, in Awka.

The party accused the Anambra government of fraudulent use of its monthly security vote totaling several billions of Naira.

The statement read: “Anambra as a state has not recorded significant growth and development since the inception of Governor Willy Obiano’s leadership. To maintain existing developmental structures in the state remains unattainable.”

The party challenged the government to give account of all funds meant for development of the state in its control.

APC challenged the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to face the business of governance and stop name-calling

The statement added: “Development has neither been visible nor felt by the people of Anambra.

“We urge APGA to focus on its campaign and leave APC alone.

“Harassing the State House of Assembly members who left APGA for APC is a distraction for the party; proferring solutions to APGA’s internal problems should be paramount to its leadership.”

Politics

Anambra govt, Police move to render IPOB’s stay-at-home order ineffective

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The Anambra State Government and the state’s Police Command have initiated moves to ensure that the sit-at-home order issued by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is of no effect.

And in order to forestall any breakdown in law and order, state and the Police have pledged to institute measures to ensure that the residents of the state would not be intimidated by any person or group.

This pledge came as a sequel to the sit-at-home threat issued by the IPOB.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the IPOB declared what it called ‘Ghost Monday’ in the South-East, starting from August 9.

The group is aiming to pressure the Federal Government towards releasing its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, currently in the detention of the Department of State Services.

However, in his statement on Monday, the Anambra state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C-Don Adinuba, said: “We won’t disclose our plans in the media, but I want to assure you that we have big plans to ensure that our people are free from any form of intimidation.”

In the same vein, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, affirmed that the Command was committed to the protection of the people of the state.

Politics

Anambra govt denounces gory pictures depicting Awkuzu killings

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The Anambra State government has denounced photographs making the rounds on social media claiming to be from an attack on the people of Awkuzu in Oyi local government area of the state.

The clash which occurred in the early hours of Monday, affected some communities in Igbariam, Aguleri, Umueri, Nteje, Awkuzu and Umunya while nine people reportedly lost their lives in the crisis.

Reacting to the clash, the state government promptly imposed a curfew on the six communities in a bid to stem the violence from spreading to other areas.

However, there have been pictures circulating on different media platforms claiming to be from the clash but the state has come out to disclaim them.

In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba, on Tuesday, the state cautioned purveyors of the fake pictures to desist from spreading them as they will be made to face the full weight of the law.

The statement reads:

“Following the clash in the early morning of Monday, April 26, between some people in Uzo Nkwo, Awkuzu, in Oyi Local Government Area, and some non-indigenes, some people were killed and some others maimed.

Both sides recorded casualties while security agents quickly moved to the scene and took control of the situation.

However, rather than give a reliable picture of what transpired, some external forces have been posting on social media lurid pictures of what took place outside Anambra State long ago and claim that they are pictures of the incident at Awkuzu.

“The misleading pictures and accounts are so contradictory that while some claim that the dead were indigenes, others claim they were non-indigenes. Each side has been desperate to incite the public against the other.

“The Anambra State Government is deeply concerned that some mischievous people would go to the extent of producing pictures of heinous killings elsewhere and claim that the murders took place in our dear state.

If any of the pictures being circulated on a section of the social media were true, those behind them would have produced and circulated videos of the dastardly killings.

“They would not have stopped at circulating mere still pictures in this era of instantaneous communication and citizen journalism.

“Those behind these false pictures and misleading narratives of the unfortunate incident at Awkuzu have an ulterior motive: to stoke a fire in a state which, for the past seven years, has been acknowledged by all to be the safest and most peaceful in the whole country.

“It is a shame that nothing is beyond some vicious elements in this election year in Anambra State.

The State Government has already taken some measures to fish out those who perpetrated the dastardly killings of fellow citizens in Awkuzu and those who have produced pictures from all manner of places with the sole of aim of portraying our people as barbarians and raising tension in the polity.

“Indeed, far from succeeding, the culprits, who are reportedly from outside the state, will be identified, arrested, tried, sentenced and made to feel the full weight of the law.

“Anybody who sheds the blood of innocent souls in Anambra State will account for it both in this world and in the world to come.

“Anambra State will, in spite of all odds, remain the Light of the Nation.”

Politics

Anambra govt bans use of tinted glass on vehicles, touting

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The Anambra State government on Monday banned the use of tinted glasses on vehicle across the state.

The state governor, Willie Obiano, who disclosed this in a statement in Awka, also banned touting in the state.

In a bid to check the growing insecurity in Anambra, the governor directed security agents to clampdown on cultists and their activities in the state.

He added that in the last one week, the state has witnessed targeted attacks on security personnel and facilities by hoodlums.

Ripples Nigeria reports that at least three naval officers and three policemen were killed by gunmen last Thursday.

The governor said: “Security agencies are hereby directed to arrest anybody hanging on the road with sticks and molesting innocent citizens and drivers.

So far, police and Navy personnel on official duties at strategic checkpoints in various locations in the state were sporadically attacked, killed and their firearms taken away.

“Also, prison and police personnel conveying an inmate to court were equally attacked and killed. Anambra State government categorically condemns these attacks on our security personnel and is doing everything possible to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“Those who attack us are intent on distorting the peace and security we have enjoyed in Anambra in the past seven years, and we will not allow that.

“I have, therefore, directed all security agencies in the state, vigilance services, all task forces, and every structure in the state security infrastructure to rise in defence of our dear state.

I hereby raise the security alert in the state and I commit to restoring order and security immediately.”

Obiano directed security agencies to conduct special operations aimed at neutralising the emerging threats to the safety of the people of the state.

“All kinds of touting in the state in whatever guise, especially in Onitsha, will no longer be tolerated,” he added.

Politics

Anambra govt shuts Nnewi spare parts market

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The Anambra State government has ordered the closure of the Agbaedo Nnewi New Motor Spare Parts Market for one week due to non-compliance of set COVID-19 guidelines.

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr Uchenna Okafor, who said that the order was issued due to the disregard for the COVID-19 safety protocol by both traders and customers in the market.

In the statement, the state government also ordered officials of the market to appear before the commissioner for health, Dr Vincent Okpala for retraining and recertification, within the period of the closure.

The statement reads thus in part; “Following the non-compliance to the COVID-19 safety protocols by the Agbaedo new motor spare parts market, Nnewi, His Excellency the executive governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has ordered for the closure of the market.”

The order came days after the state government introduced an intervention strategy for early intervention and handling of patients who have contracted COVID-19 to ensure low death rate arising from the virus.

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