By Nnabugwu Chizoba
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
(MAN), in Plateau State, has called for a dialogue between her and the Plateau
Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA) over the recent demand
notice on loading and offloading of goods in the state issued by the Agency.
You would recall that MAN was
established in 1971, to serve as a point of reference for Government and
others who seek the view and reaction(s) of the Association. In addition to
this, MAN has the responsibility: to advice, consult and when necessary take up
issues with government and other bodies on matters that affect Manufacturers. From
the Law establishing the Association, MAN operates a representative membership
structure.
The call by MAN for dialogue is
contained in a letter written in response to a “Demand notice on Loading and
Offloading” issued to members of MAN in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.
The Demand notice in part reads:
“This is to notify you that, your
Loading and Offloading Permit for the year 2016 is due for renewal. You are
therefore given (7) days within which to renew same to avoid being sanctioned”.
Responding to the Demand notice by
PEPSA, the representative of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, after
acknowledging the receipt of the notice, allegedly issued to all MAN members in
Jos, wrote:
“As a responsible corporate
citizen, we are partners towards supporting the Economic activities in Plateau
State. As you are aware, all MAN members on the Plateau pays for loading and
offloading permits as at when due to Local Governments in Plateau State. To
this end, we assume your demand notice conflicts as double taxation on the part
of our entire members. As a result, we would like to dialogue with PEPSA on the
matter, while all MAN members are advised to stay off action pending the
resolution. On the related development, the council of the Association request
for a courtesy visit to your office, subject to your convenience”.
The letter from MAN, which though
contains suggested date and time for the courtesy call, noted that the proposed
dialogue will be at the convenience of PEPSA, as reported above.
Speaking to our reporter on the
issue, a member of MAN who does not want his name in print said, “It is a
healthy development, considering that a proposal for a dialogue between the
parties has been made. What is left, is for us to wait for the outcome of the
dialogue, which I think will hold very soon”.
From the letter that MAN wrote to
PEPSA, and made available to this medium, MAN’s letter was circulated to the
Commissioners for Environment; and that of Commerce and Industry Plateau State.
The circulation also included the Chairman, Plateau State Internal Revenue
Service and the Local Government Revenue Officers.
As events unfold concerning this
developmentas always, promises to keep you
posted.
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