Imo Hoteliers Association has protested what it described as the over taxation of hotels in the state and called for the state government’s intervention.
The chairman of the association, Mr Chima Chukwunyere, made the call while addressing newsmen in Owerri.
Chukwunyere thanked the state government for streamlining the payment of taxes through the state’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).
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.
Chukwunyere 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.
Therefore, he called on the state government to intervene to stem the tide of multiple taxation and over taxation and save the hospitality industry in the state.
“We have been completely taken aback by a private company that claims to be in a public-private partnership with the state government and has threatened to shut down our operations without 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 submitted.
Chukwunyere urged hoteliers in the state not to be intimidated by threats with no legal undertone and to carry out their lawful duties without fear of intimidation.
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