Imo Emblem Dealers Association decries issue of double taxation …As IIRS Boss assures of tackling challenge 

By CHINYERE Nnaemeka

The Imo State Internal Revenue Services, IIRS Chairman, Justice Okoye, has assured the Emblem Dealers Association of wading into ensuring that they bring to an end issue of double taxation.

The Chairman gave the assurance on Friday, when the Emblem Dealers Association executives, led by its Chairman, Hon. Emma Nwosu, AKA Emma Owerri, came to pay a courtesy visit to the IIRS boss to congratulate him over his return to office for second tenure, and to also bring to his notice some of the challenges they were facing.

Speaking earlier, the Emblem Chairman, Nwosu, who expressed joy for the warmth reception accorded them by the IIRS boss, stated, “the reason for our visit is to welcome you, our chairman into office for your second tenure, and to reiterate our willingness and commitment towards continuously working hand in gloves with you for the progress of our union, and the Board,’Nwosu averred.

Talking about some of the challenges they were experiencing, he noted, “it is very pertinent that we make the Imo State Emblem to go viral, and be acceptable through out the country just like other ones from other States, citing Delta, Ogun States, among others.

“When drivers with Delta emblems come into Imo State, they do not purchase any other emblem as theirs is acceptable in all the 36 States, but our own drivers when they go to other states they are made to buy theirs as ours is not recognized nationally.

“Another issue is that of illegal taxation which I want us to work towards bringing it to an end in the state,’the Emblem Chairman stated.

He also brought to his notice the need for him to assist them dialogue with the police on bringing down the financial commitment they; the emblem dealers make to them in respect to their assisting them ensure that the drivers purchase their emblems.

Nwosu continued that they are appreciative of what the Police is doing for them, but that the financial commitment they make to them is much, and so it makes them charge the drivers more just to be able to settle the Police, taskforce agents, among others.

He once again lauded the IIRS Chairman for welcoming them and giving them a listening ear, and assured him of always availing themselves whenever he beckons on them.

In response, the IIRS Board Chairman, Okoye who thanked them for coming to identify with him, averred that it is his desire to envisage that IIRS and every other association connected to it progresses as should.

He made them understand that he has taken note of all their concerns, assured them of looking into it, and calling on them when necessary to put heads together, come up with plans and programmes that will bring an abrupt end to the challenges.

He majorly spoke on the issue of the state Emblem, averring that for 2025, they will work towards having one emblem that will be acceptable in all the 36 States of the Federation, so drivers from Imo State will not have to be tasked to buy emblems when they venture into others states.

He hinted that this they will seriously work towards making sure it is actualized.

The IIRS further reassured of working in synergy with the emblem dealers, and urged them not to relent in reaching out to him over ideas they feel will continuously bring sanity into the system.