By Praise Chinecherem
Traders in Ogidi International market, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State said they paid N30million to State Government as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to rid the market of illegal revenue collectors.
The President General, Chief Jude Nwankwo said the payment became necessary following criminal activities of the touts who disguise as vehicles revenue collectors to pepetuate various vices.
He said, “We paid the #30million for us to be collecting the loading and off loading of vehicles IGR on behalf of the State Government.
“Right from when I assumed office, I never wanted these touts because they are the same people that rob at gun-point, kidnap people and commit all manners of attrocities.
“These are people sacked from the roads by Government and allowing them to come into the market to collect revenue on behalf of the Government will be risky.
“The Government has suspended the collection of levies on vehicles for loading and off loading in the markets and as such our money is hanging.
“We want the Government to refund us since the levy collection on vehicles in the market has been suspended for now,” he stated.
While praising Governor Chukwuma Soludo’ for his relentless efforts in fighting crimes and criminality in the State, Nwankwo who is also patron of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, said the efforts had checkmated crime to the barest minimum.
“Since the Governor came in, crime reduced drastically. We need peace in Anambra and the Governor has asked those jobless youths to come up and learn a trade.
“If the youths are kept busy there will not be crimes unless from those who are born criminals,” he stated.
