MAN CALLS FOR DIALOGUE WITH PLATEAU ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (PEPSA) OVER DEMAND NOTICE

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.