Landlords in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State have raised concerns over what they describe as “multiple levies” being extorted from them by illegal revenue collectors.
According to The PUNCH, during an interactive forum with the deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Chief Ignatius Agabarugo, the spokesperson for the Fegge Landlords Association, voiced the grievances of the group.
The Fegge Landlords Association, representing the affected landlords, expressed their dissatisfaction with the daily invasion of their community by touts and revenue collectors claiming to work for the state government.
These collectors demand payments for sanitation, property, and development levies, causing distress among the landlords.
He lamented the unjust situation and highlighted the negative impact it has on the landlords and the community as a whole.
Agabarugo said, “We are ready to cooperate with the state government in the area of ending these extortions that have become a menace on us.
“The extortions of landlords by touts and illegal revenue collectors have become unbearable. Whenever a landlord is carrying out any renovation on his building, the touts will come to demand for various amount of money.
The deputy governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, assured the landlords of the government’s commitment to addressing the issue.
He pledged to investigate the matter and take appropriate action to curb the activities of illegal revenue collectors.
Dr. Ibezim also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government and the community in finding a lasting solution to the problem.
He said, “The essence of this meeting is for us to interface with you all, the landlords, on the need to clear the blocked drainages, clear the refuse dumps, plant trees and paint your buildings to give this place a face lift.”
