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The leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN), Enugu Depot says the over taxation of its members by the Anambra state government might lead to shutdown of operations in the state within the next two weeks.
Mr Chinedu Anyaso who is the Chairman of the chapter who stated this shortly after he was reelected to pilot the affairs of the union for a second term, promised that he will continue to work hard to ameliorate the difficulties facing its members.
While noting that the challenge is highly prevalent in Anambra State, even after the Association had an agreement with the state government; yet ASWAMA, signage officials, and Ocha Brigade officials were still coming to demand money, arrest and detain IPMAN members and their workers.
According to him, all efforts to call the attention of the Anambra State Government on the issue have proved abortive.
Read Also: IPMAN Threatens To Down Tools In Anambra Over ₦900m Debt
He regretted that some of the IPMAN members in the state were taken to court and jailed or given the option of fines for their refusal to comply with the illegal taxation.
He said, “Since the removal of the fuel subsidy, members of IPMAN have continued to find it difficult to survive the harsh business environment confronting all business concerns in the country.
“Even as they are struggling to keep business afloat and retain their workers, Anambra state government in its quest to surge-up its internal revenue has come so hard on individual members and their business outfits in the area.
“The latest development also undermines agreement with various state governments that IPMAN will be paying a collective tax to ensure all members pay and check issues of multiple taxation.”
The IPMAN boss however applauded Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Kogi and Cross River state governments for cooperating with its members.
Grand Patron of IPMAN Enugu Unit, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, also lauded IPMAN for working as a union and ensuring steady growth of the association within various states it covers.
