Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria-affiliated bakers have accused the Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, of coercive imposition of punitive taxes on its members.
The association’s president, Emmanuel Onuorah, made the allegatio in an interview.
Onuorah lamented that several bakeries are being put out of business due to the government’s exorbitant taxation.
He said: “As we speak, I am in the state of Anambra. Come to Anambra and observe what the governor and his thugs are doing. As soon as you enter Anambra with the flour, they will halt the vehicles and pounce on them. Since Soludo became the governor of Anambra, there are thugs everywhere.
“He packed his own in addition to the ones Obiano had on the road. They are a group of highway criminals. This is what a professor in Anambra is doing. If you are importing flour into Anambra, you must do it as soon as you cross the bridge. They will quickly attack you. There are taxes everywhere. This is the situation in the state of Anambra.”
Onuorah accused the governor of strangling and killing businesses by imposing punitive taxes.
“My members in Anambra are powerless. If you are transporting approximately 300 sacks of flour, you will be stopped at the head bridge. You must pay N30, 000. If you bring two trucks, you will be charged N60, 000. They will enter bakeries to cause all manner of issues. Not only that, however. “He is also taxing the welders that work for us,” he protested.