Contractors of waste evacuators in Anambra State have shut down services following alleged labelling of their members as illegal revenue collectors by the Chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service AiRS, Dr David Nzekwu.
The contractors, numbering twenty-four, wondered why they would be branded as such even when they were fully recognised by the government and had been carrying out the responsibility of ridding the state of refuses.
Addressing newsmen yesterday, Chairman of the group, Christian Ogbudike who also alleged arrest of one of his members, described the acts as unacceptable, insisting they would discontinue their work forthwith.
He said they work in collaboration with the Anambra State Waste Management Agency (ASWAMA) under the authorization of the Ministry of Environment, adding that their contract letter indicated they should evacuate and collect sanitation levy from our areas of coverage.
He said, “We’re here following a media report credited to the Chairman, Internal Revenue services, Dr. Dave Nzekwu, branding us illegal revenue collectors.
“It’s unacceptable by us because the state government is aware we’re working for them and David Nzekwu also knows us as contractors under the Ministry of Environment.
“Why branding us illegal collectors? If there are things our people are doing you don’t like, he supposed to have invited us so we can to identify if he’s our member or not.
“During COVID-19 lockdown, while others were at home, we worked tirelessly even without pay. We borrowed money to ensure the state was neat. We’re owing our workers, including drivers to ensure we deliver.
“We’ve shut down all our zonal offices. Everyone is out of work so that the internal revenue can take over. You can’t talk about money without first of all handling waste.”
Efforts to get the reactions of the Chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service AiRS, Dr David Nzekwu were unsuccessful as he did not take calls put to his line, nor responded to text messages as at press time.
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