Customers and patronizers of the popular Mimi's Place, located at All Seasons Avenue, Owerri has condemned the directive of the state government to seal off some business outlets in the state.
Some of the customers who confided in our reporter disclosed that the action of the state government was a political witch-hunt targeted at some Imo sons who may have some rift with the governor.
According to one of the patronizers of Mimi's place who identified himself as Chidex disclosed to our reporter Saturday morning 'I was at Mimi's place on Friday night to hang out with friends only to see IIRS's seal at the entrance gate leading to the premises. Am a regular at Mimi's place due to the serenity of the environment and entertainment vibes. I have read several reports both on print and social media how the owner of Mimi's place is being alledged to be an associate of Gov Hope Uzodinma contracted to distabilize Imo PDP but I wonder how an ally of a governor would be a victim of witch-hunt as a result of sealing his business premises, I find it difficult to reconcile this', Chidex disclosed.
It was gathered that Mimi's place was sealed as result of the Best of Judgement on Consumption Tax Remittance from January 2020 - January 2022 amounting to 51 (Fifty one) million naira.
Recall that in 2020, COVID-19 wrecked havoc globally, resulting to shut down of business activities, alot of people lost their jobs while companies retrenched staffs due to rapid decline in revenue generation.
In Owerri, the Imo State capital, businesses were shut down following directives by the state government declaring Lockdown in the state.
Due to the dwindling economy occasioned by the pandemic, the Imo Internal Revenue Service (IIRS) issued a public notice with the title:
WAIVER ON 5% CONSUMPTION TAX FOR NON-FILING AND NON-PAYMENT the above decision on waiver was reached to help cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on hotels and allied services. Of a truth, business activities was brought to a halt in 2020. Few months after the COVID-19 pandemic was gradually been contained, the ENDSARS protest took it's turn as youths in their numbers occupied major cities to register their grievance against the government at the center.
This was followed by the gruesome killings by the UNGUN KNOWN-MEN No reasonable government will after considering the challenges that confronted these employers of labor, take such decision to seal off business premises without first exploiting dialogue with those affected.
'I can now decipher that all we read on social media about Gov Uzodinma's romance with the Myke Ikoku plotting to destroy Imo PDP to be false and cheap blackmail to malign reputation of the foremost employer of labor in Imo State, Mr Jerry Nkemakolam told our reporter. ' How can Ikoku be working for a government against PDP and at the same time be a victim of same government's treacherous act, people should stop blackmailing innocent people unnecessarily.
'How do you expect investors to be able to pay tax when the government fails to do its own part by providing a conducive environment, ensure safety of life and properties amongst other', Nkemakolam opined.
Meanwhile, when the manager of Mimi's place was contacted, he declined comment but rather told our reporter that the management is yet to respond officially as regards the seal off of the premises by IIRS officials.
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