There Was No Clash Between Tax Agents, Thugs In Eke Market-Nwali

Chijioke Njoku, Abakaliki

The Executive Chairman of Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi State, Hon. Euphemia Nwali has denied clash by thugs in the popular Eke Imoha market in the Council.

Euphemia Nwali, who disclo b87li6 sed this in reaction to an allegation published in a section of the media by one Joel Ejimofor David of Supreme Allied Ltd -a company that claimed to be authorized by government to collect internally generated revenue , said there was no thug clash in the market.

She said, “My attention has been drawn to an online publication by some media outfit that I harras and obstruct a company Anointed Supreme Allied Ltd from collecting revenue at Eke Imoha marke authorized by the Ebonyi State Internal Revenue Board.

“The report claimed that I used thugs to allegedly robbed and kidnapped his workers who came to collect tolls at Eke Imoha Market, and that I even threatened his life or any other members of the company.

“The report further said that one company Zeenok Agro International Ltd bided for the same revenue point and that the company is owned by me.

“Ordinally I would have kept quiet because the report was fa cplse and malicious but for the record to be put straight and avoidance of doubt by those that have read the report I have to say these.

“The Revenue Board is in charge of the internally generated revenue in Ebonyi State. So everything IGR is in the office of the Revenue Board. However the state and local government has an understanding and MoU.

“There is no way a company will enter a market if they are not authorized by the Board. The Board knows her agents. Any agents that enter anywhere to collect revenue must have authority letter from the Board.

“As Local government area chairman i dont have the right to collect IGR. If an agent collects IGR that does not mean that it is the chairman that is collecting it. My duty as a council chairman is to protect lives and properties and to make sure there is peace in my area and the market.

“You know me very well. I do not have thugs and do not hire thugs. If there is any issue, we have security agents. The Division and the Area Command are there. Why should I be hiring thugs. Thugs for what?

” There was no clash between agents in the market but if there was any clash, the incident would be reported to me as the Chief Security Officer. There was no report of such. If there is any problem in the market between revenue agents i will know, but I know I do not have such report. And if I have report of such, I will involve security agents to resolve it. There is no problem in the market now.

“I have not bided for any revenue toll from the Board and i dont even know the company called Zeenok Agro International Ltd.

“I am urging members of the public to disregard the report because it was written with almost motive to drag my name in the mud. I swore to protect lives and properties and to extent dividend of democracy to the people of Ezza South LGALGA”, she said.