AWKA – The Anambra State government on Wednesday sealed two commercial banks in Awka for allegedly failing to settle land charges.
The closure, carried out under the Anambra Property and Land Use Charge, followed a recent court order.
Addressing newsmen after the closure, the Head of Human Resources and Administration/Media in the organisation, Mrs Chinenye Okafor, said the banks and some residential buildings owed the state government more than N600,000.
Okafor alleged that the financial institutions deliberately ignored court summons and hearing notices served on them, saying that no representative was sent by them during the trial.
She said one of the banks, located opposite the Government House, Awka, owed N226,047 while the other located on Ziks Avenue, Awka, owed N238, 077.
She said the money comprise tenement and ground rates, infrastructural development and maintenance fees.
Okafor said some residential buildings and a company located on No. 6, Ikebube Street, Ifite-Awka, also owed the state government N136,166.
She said the organization would seal-off the properties of those who failed to settle the levies.
She also said the government had secured 14 judgments to seal-off residential buildings in Awka and two other judgments in Onitsha.
“Very soon, the list of defaulters in Nnewi will be prepared and actions will follow.
“We are awaiting 11 judgments on residential buildings in Awka and 15 others in Onitsha,” she said. (NAN)
