The controversial Chairman of Imo State Board of Internal Revenue (IGR), Mrs. Henrietta Jacobs, has once more displayed her total inclination and preference for extortionist tendencies by rolling out further plans to impoverish Imolites. She does not seem to be oblivious of prevailing hardship and difficulties faced by Imolites most of who are displaced by the wanton demolition of markets and houses.
This is as contained in a recent flier announcing her decision to change in its entirety, all documents of road worthiness, hackney permit and others with effect from October 23, 2017. The fliers have been circulated to all nooks and crannies to forewarn Imolites.
According to the public announcement issued by the Imo state Board of Internal Revenue, Owerri, there will be thorough verification of all insurance payment, before vehicle licenses are issued. To this effect, “all motorists and other road users have been directed to visit the state Board of Internal Revenue Okigwe road Owerri, for the exercise since failure to update their documents will result to massive enforcement and compliance drive on all roads and streets of Owerri”.
The order is coming amidst lamentations by motorists that they are being compelled to pay as much as N25,000 per vehicle as cost of sticker. The sticker in question is often called “Governors exclusive sticker” which is different from the usual annual operation stickers usually bought by commercial bus operators, and other trucks. These stickers are for buses and haulage vehicles.
In this format, all private vehicles entering or passing through Owerri even when they do not belong to Imo indigenes, must purchase the N25,000 per sticker which amount is un-receipted and allegedly paid into the Governors private bank account after the task force has deducted their commission. A victim of such extortionist squad after bemoaning his ugly experience exclaimed that Imo state is a danger zone and the worst place to survive. He regretted passing through Owerri.
