Manufacturers hail Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration and the Anambra Internal Revenue Service for easing tax-related disruptions and launching reforms to tackle multiple taxation

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has commended the Anambra State Government and the Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) for easing the tax burden on manufacturers by suspending tax-related harassment and disruptions by revenue collectors and unauthorised actors operating across the state.

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The commendation came on Thursday during a high-level stakeholders’ engagement in Awka organised by the Chairman of MAN’s Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States Branch, Ada Chukwudozie.

The meeting brought together representatives of local government councils, the Anambra State Government and AIRS to discuss reforms aimed at improving the business environment.

The engagement focused on practical measures to address multiple taxation, overlapping levies and the activities of touts and other unauthorised individuals who allegedly harass manufacturers under the guise of tax enforcement.

Speaking at the meeting, Chukwudozie said MAN convened the engagement as part of its sustained advocacy for a more transparent and predictable tax regime for manufacturers.

She explained that many businesses in the state had, for years, faced repeated disruptions from individuals claiming to be revenue collectors for various authorities, often issuing questionable demands and interfering with business operations.

However, she said the association had observed a significant improvement following recent interventions by the state government and AIRS.

“The AIRS informed the meeting that since April 2026, clear instructions had been issued to revenue collectors and relevant operatives not to harass, disturb or disrupt the activities of MAN members, and that the directive had been effectively implemented,” Chukwudozie said.

“MAN thanks AIRS for their effort, and we acknowledged that the incessant harassment previously experienced from miscreants and other unauthorised actors had largely been put on hold.”

She said the Anambra Tax Harassment Suspension aligns with the industrialisation and ease-of-doing-business agenda of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, adding that it has created a more supportive operating environment for manufacturers.

Chukwudozie also praised the governor for appointing what she described as a responsive leadership team at AIRS and commended the agency’s management for engaging constructively with the manufacturing sector.

She stressed that MAN supports lawful taxation and was not seeking to avoid tax obligations but rather to eliminate duplication, reduce friction and improve coordination between state and local government tax authorities.

“Our engagement is aimed at deepening dialogue with local government authorities and seeking clarity on areas of overlap between state and local government taxes and levies,” she said.

She added that the association remains committed to working with the state government, AIRS and local councils to promote a transparent tax system that supports industrial growth, job creation and sustainable economic development.

Other participants at the meeting also called for stronger coordination in tax administration.

The Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Stanley Nkwoka, proposed harmonising tax and levy collections through a single coordinated framework to eliminate multiple collection channels affecting manufacturers.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Anambra State Association of Local Government Chairmen and Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area, Dr Chibueze Ofobuike, recommended the establishment of a joint committee comprising representatives of MAN, AIRS and local government authorities to review overlapping taxes and streamline collections.

The proposal received broad support from stakeholders, leading to the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee made up of nominees from the three groups.

The committee will be coordinated by the Director of Informal Sector at AIRS, Ndubuisi Achebe.

According to stakeholders, the committee has been tasked with identifying areas of duplication between state and local government taxes and levies, recommending harmonisation measures, improving transparency in tax administration and developing practical strategies to curb the activities of touts and unauthorised revenue collectors.

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The initiative forms part of wider efforts by the Anambra State Government to strengthen investor confidence, improve the ease of doing business and foster a more predictable regulatory environment for manufacturers operating in the state.