Nigerian governor closes down 24 banks, hotels over taxes, levies
Anambra State Government has shut no fewer than 25 banks and hotels that are working within the state capital, Awka, over failure to pay their taxes and levies to the state.
The closure of the facilities by the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) was carried out over the weekend.
it was gathered that levies were for the purposes 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.