By Praise Chinecherem
Leaadership of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, IPMAN , Enugu Depot says the over taxation of its members by the Anambra state government might lead to down tooling and shutting down fuel selling operations in the state within the next two weeks.
Chairman of the Association, Mr Chinedu Anyaso who stated this shortly after he was re elected to pilot the Affairs of the members for a second term promised that he will continue to work hard to ameliorate the difficulties facing its members in their businesses.
Anyaso said the challenge is highly prevalent in Anambra State, where 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 and not yielded any fruit.
He regretted that some of the IPMAN members having businesses in Anambra State were taken to court and jailed or given the option of fines due to their refusal to comply with illegal and over 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 and Enugu State Governments for cooperating and supporting its members and their activities as well as state governments of some parts of Imo, Abia, Kogi and Cross River States where its members operate as well.
Anyaso noted that IPMAN members had been a great pillar of support in the past three years in office, making it possible for the association to achieve some milestones noting that his re-election is a call for more responsibility.
In an interview, 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.
“As you people are progressive; I will continue to support IPMAN; and do not fail to call on me if there is any difficulty you are facing for counsel and guidance,” Ezeokafor, Founder of JEZCO Nigeria Ltd, said.
Mr Chinedu Anyaso, Managing Director of Floxy Alu Oil Ltd, was re-elected by members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Enugu Unit as their Chairman for the next three years.
Anyaso and his entire executive members were re-elected after a unanimous unopposed vote by the entire members in an election that took place in IPMAN House in Enugu.
Our correspondent reports that others re-elected included: Mr Ndubuisi Nwokwu as Vice Chairman; Mr Nnaemeka Iloafor as Secretary; Mr Ndubuisi Egbogota as Assistant Secretary; Emeka Onyima, as Treasurer and Mr Obinna Njoku as Financial Secretary.
Others are Mr Isaiah Mbah as PRO; Mr Abdullahi Salami as Auditor; Chief Clement Nnamchi as Legal Adviser and Chief Austine Nkama as Ex-official.
