Anambra State Government has sealed off no fewer than 25 banks and hotels operating within the state capital, Awka, for failure to pay their taxes and levies to the state.
The facilities were sealed by the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) over the weekend.
We gathered that levies were mainly those of sanitation, business premises and sundry government taxes.
Head of the team and desk officer in charge of Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) in the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. James-Morgan Ezeodili, said the enforcement was made following a court order on 11th August 2022 to seal off the businesses.
“This is because of their refusal or failure to appear in court, after being served with writ of summons, as they refused to pay stipulated levies to state government.
The exercise (sealing of businesses) was part of the state government’s resolve to boost its revenue, and to ensure that the environment was clean by removal of wastes across the roads and streets in the state.”
Some of the facilities sealed are: Nigeria Police Force Micro Finance Bank, Mumbai Festus Hotel, Finotel Classic Hotel, and Shalom Hotel, all in Awka.
Others include: Zaramax Hotel, New World Lounge, Summit Splendor Hotel, Ndiolu Micro Finance Bank, Landmark Hotel Nibo, among others.
