The Imo Hoteliers Association has decried what it described as overtaxation of hotels in
the state and called for the state government’s intervention.
Chairman of the association, Mr Chima Chukwunyere, made the call while addressing
newsmen in Owerri, on Thursday.
Chukwunyere thanked the state government for streamlining payment of taxes through
the state’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), a move intended to fight corruption and ward
off illegal taxation.
He however said that the method has remained the same until recently when a private
company approached the association, insisting that it had agreed to take over the
collection of taxes from businesses in the state.
According to him, the remittal to the TSA, backed by Imo law no. 5 of 2020, should
remain in vogue until the state government or its legally established representative
communicates otherwise.
He therefore wondered why a private company, identified as Eastern Waste
Management Company limited would parade itself as being in partnership with the state
government without an official notice from the government.
He therefore called on the state government to intervene to stem the tide of multiple
taxation and overtaxation so as to save the hospitality industry in the state.
“ We have been completely taken aback by a private company which claims to be in a
Public Private Partnership with the state government and who have threatened to shut
down our operations, yet without an official notice.
“ Our lawyers say this is an aberration of status quo and only the state government that
deals directly with us reserves the right to collect the taxes unless we are duly, officially
communicated by government or its legal representative “, he said.
Chukwunyere urged hoteliers in the state not to be intimidated by threats that have no
legal undertone and to carry out their lawful duties without fear of harassment.
C- Advocate recalls that hoteliers in Imo state have repeatedly complained about
harassment, multiple taxation and intimidation by agents of the state.
The hoteliers are currently in Court with the state government over sundry issues and
therefore consider it a possible contempt of Court for threats to be issued to them by
representatives of government whilst the matter remains in Court.
He said that the association would, through all legal means, resist all attempts by
anyone to use its members as victims of a corrupt system.
C- Advocate therefore calls for government intervention to fight the ugly menace of
corruption in the system, especially as hoteliers are the second highest employers of
labor after the government in Imo state.