Ben Ezechime, Enugu
In view of the current economic hardships in the country, the Enugu State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), has appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to reconsider his current tax regime in the state.
This was contained in a communique released after the inaugural meeting of its newly elected state Executive Committee (EXCO) in Enugu.
The communique was jointly signed by Mr Ibuchujwu Ezike, Executive Director, CLO, Jerry Enoja, Esq, chairman CLO, Enugu State, and Comrade Dan Igwe, State Secretary.
“We call upon the government of Enugu State to reconsider the tax regime imposed upon the citizens in view of the economic stress prevailing in Nigeria.
“We also implore the government to discern between rural and urban areas while enforcing the tax order.
“Eg, Recently, in a village, called Amenu Edem 96 per cent of the shops were sealed by acclaimed govt enforcement officials, thereby leaving the petty traders stranded and hopelessly loitering around, ” CLO said.
The communique also condemned the brutal murder of an Enugu State indegene, Mrs Blessing Eze, a petty trader in far away Ogun State, for not being able to pay an illegal festival fee demanded by touts.
“We condemn the murdering of one Mrs. Blessing Eze, a mother of four from Enugu State in Ifo LGA of Ogun State for failing to pay illegal festival Levy.
“The matter should not be swept under the carpet as we call upon the security agencies to track down the perpetrators of the heinous crime. Our condolences to her family,” the communique reads.
The organization further condemned in strong terms “the nocturnal invasion and murdering of Nigeria citizens in their sleep in Yelewata, Benue State.
“It’s an affront on our collective sensibilities and debases our common bond as humans.
“We extend our condolences to the people of Benue State and particularly the affected families.
“We’re together in this grief. We urge the security agencies to pursue the murderers until the law takes its full course.”
The group commended the governor of Enugu State and the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State for their deft and strategic planning and approach to security matters in the state.
They also applauded the appointment of the chairman and commander of Enugu State Forest Guard respectively by the governor, while appealing for stronger collaboration between the forest guard and the town unions to enhance intelligence gathering for adequate protection of lives and property in the State.
The CLO further advised the security agencies to ensure that the arrest of any citizen is a product of diligent investigations to avoid oppressive arrests, undue harassment and exploitation of those who would be innocent at the end.
The communique thanked the governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo; Chief Ebuka Onunkwo; and other Nigerians for recognising the heroic gallantry of Mr. Ugochukwu Orji, who apprehended a fleeing suspect at Seme border.
“We, therefore, call on the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to also recognize Orji for projecting uncommon integrity of the Nigeria Immigration Service by refusing corrupt enrichment at the expense of public good.
“Such institutional recognition will deepen the war against corruption as it will encourage other public servants to pursue integrity in lieu of corrupt enrichment,” CLO stated.
The chapter promised continued collaboration with other human rights groups and individuals in upholding the ideals of human right advocacy; defence of needy inmates; and grassroots mobilisation and sensitisation.
