Abakaliki shop owners want taskforce activities checked

Some shop owners in Abakaliki have asked the Ebonyi State Government to control the actions of task forces operating in the area. They say these task forces are harassing them, intimidating them, and charging multiple levies that are damaging their businesses.

The traders made their appeal on Thursday during interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria.

Chika Uzu, who sells recharge cards and runs a Point of Sale (POS) service at Diamond Point Junction, Abakaliki, shared his experience with taskforce officials. He mentioned that the officials became more active after a dispute between two traders over shop space.

He said that the taskforce intensified their visits after the disagreement was resolved. This led to frequent harassment and extortion of the traders.

Mr Uzu claimed that the task force damaged their properties and collected money from traders without giving official government receipts. "The task force comes once in a while to collect money from us, but the collections increased after the dispute involving my two neighbours," he said.

He said traders were forced to pay between N5,000 and N15,000 based on their type of business. He called on the government to set up a uniform annual levy with proper documentation.

Onyemachi Ngboke, a fashion designer on Alo Street, also shared his concerns. He said traders are struggling with numerous charges like internally generated revenue (IGR), local government levies, and other payments from different task forces.

He noted that these levies, which range from N10,000 to N20,000 at unexpected times, have become too much for many small business owners to handle. "We are tired of these payments and urge the government to intervene before many of us are forced to shut down our businesses," he said.

Ngozi Nwafor, who operates a provision store on Water Works Road, also mentioned that the actions of task force officials have added to her financial troubles. She pleaded with the state government to quickly address what she calls the excesses of the taskforces to stop further disruption to business activities.

The traders are calling on the government to make revenue collection processes clearer. They want to ensure that only authorized officials collect approved levies to protect businesses and improve the state's investment environment.

In response to these complaints, the Chairman of the Ebonyi State Internal Revenue Service, Christopher Omo-Isu, said his office only sent out demand notices to businesses in the state. He explained that the official government task force starts its operations in October each year.

Mr Isu stated that the government-approved payment for business owners in the state is N14,000 annually. He condemned the task forces' activities and promised to take action against those breaking the law.