Fides Media Living the Faith
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Management of the Unified Hybrid Enforcement Team (UHBET), last Monday in Awka dismissed the two personnel involved in manhandling of a commercial vehicle driver.
The two sacked Staff of UHBET who acted on behalf of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS) were seen in the recent viral video molesting a man who tried to evade tax.
The way and manner they went about the enforcement left sour and bitter taste in mouths of Ndi Anambra.
Addressing newsmen in Awka, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Ogbuefi Dr Greg Ezeilo, FCA, said that UHBET would continue to remove every wolf in the midst of the sheepfold once discovered.
He noted that the dismissal was the second since the formation of UHBET, emphasizing that UHBET personel should as a matter of obligation continue to undergo steady training and retraining for professional cum standard enforcement approach to work.
His words, ‘We are not unaware of the mud that this has rubbed on the efforts of our dear Solution Governor, the people of Anambra State and the unrepentant determination of UHBET Management to give Ndi Anambra, a professional touch where taxes and government revenues are paid without hassles.
‘Our apologies also go to the Management and Staff of ITEKPE LINE whose staff was the victim of such abuse.
‘We, are therefore so sorry for that act of misconduct while we solemnly promise that such will never happen again. Ndi Anambra, this is not who we are and such unruly NDI behavior will never be condoned under whatever guise.
‘Ndi Anambra cannot be allowed to keep experiencing same treatment that they had in the hands of touts. We are glad that UHBET as a responsive organization, believes so much in continuous training and retraining of its workforce.
‘In a swift move to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of such unprofessional conduct, the UHBET leadership had in response to the public outcry gathered useful and helpful information which led to the successful arrest of its members of staff involved in that shameful act. We truly appreciate all who responded to our request regarding the details of the unfortunate incident.
‘We wish by this Official Statement to inform the general public and Anambra taxpayers in particular that those responsible for that show of shame have been dismissed from the state tax compliance enforcement team, UHBET after being seriously quizzed by the top Echelon of UHBET Management,’ he concluded.
For his part, Hon Barr Jude Ngobili, the Chairman of Anambra State House of Assembly’s House-Committee on IGR thanked the state government for its quick response and also praised UHBET leadership for taking the decision to remove the persons who have caused so much havoc for the state within the weekend.