John Chuma Nwosu, the gubernatorial candidate of the African Development Congress (ADC) for the upcoming November 8 election, has vowed to dismantle the current revenue collection system in Anambra state, promising to end multiple taxation and sack what he termed “street terrorists” from his first day in office. He made the pledge on Saturday during an online interactive session with Anambra indigenes residing abroad ASA USA.
Expressing deep concern, Nwosu, an expert in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), described the activities of the state-sponsored revenue agents as a “sad commentary” on Governor Charles Soludo’s administration that has “brought a lot of tears to the people.”
He cited the tragic death of Mr. Okechukwu Akaname, a former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (OCCIMA), who passed away after allegedly being attacked by operatives of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA). Nwosu described the incident as a stark example of the system brutality, vowing that such an event would never happen under his watch.
Nwosu’s commitment came in response to a question from a medical doctor practicing in the United States of America, who lamented that nearly nine different groups currently harass businesses and citizens for various taxes.
“Multiple taxation is a problem that is common, more especially in Anambra State. I will end it in Anambra,” Nwosu declared.
Outlining his strategy, the ADC candidate promised a “100 per cent full E-government system” to streamline revenue collection and eliminate the need for physical enforcers on the streets.
“Under our E-Transport system, whoever registers will be free of any sort of harassment,” he stated. “You’re not supposed to be seen on the road harassing anybody as you like. We’ll remove them 100 per cent from the streets.”
Nwosu argued that this technology-driven approach would not only end the harassment but also tackle corruption and improve government transparency.
For interstate taxation issues, particularly those affecting commercial transporters, Nwosu proposed a collaborative approach through the South East Governors Forum. He envisioned a computerized sticker system, modeled after one used in the South West, to prevent multiple levies across the region.
“It will be done in such a way that if you registered in Anambra State, 50 per cent of the tariff will be remitted to the state, while 50 per cent will be shared among the other states,” he explained. “The sticker will have features that would enable a smart phone to authenticate its genuineness.”
The ICT mogul concluded by reiterating his commitment to a modern governance model, indicating a willingness to engage consultants and professionals from the diaspora to implement the sweeping reforms.
(C) JCN- GNN MEDIA CENTRE AWKA
