The Abia State Internal Revenue Service has sealed numerous shops along the Abia Tower to Azikiwe Road junction in Umuahia over alleged tax defaults by traders. The enforcement action, which took place early Monday morning before traders arrived, left many business owners stranded outside their locked premises.
According to reports, affected shop owners were seen contemplating their next steps, with some making efforts to approach the revenue service for reconciliation of outstanding tax issues.
Traders React to Enforcement Action
One male trader expressed frustration over the approach taken by the revenue authorities. "Locking our shops is not the best approach to generate revenue from business owners," he lamented, highlighting the immediate impact on their livelihoods.
Notices pasted on the sealed shops warned owners against unauthorized reopening, stating that such actions would result in court prosecution. The notices indicated that the sealing exercise was authorized by a court order from Magistrate I.C. Nnaji of the Magistrate Court in Umuahia North.
Selective Enforcement
Not all businesses in the area were affected by the closure. Some shops remained operational as their owners had reportedly settled their tax obligations with the Abia State Internal Revenue Service prior to the enforcement exercise.
This development highlights ongoing efforts by the Abia State government to boost internal revenue generation through stricter tax compliance measures.
The incident raises questions about the balance between revenue collection and supporting local businesses, particularly in challenging economic times.
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