BY ABUCHI IFESINACHI, AWKA
The Anambra Government on Monday sealed-off two hotels and three other facilities over the refusal of owners to pay three years property rates valued at N1,032,000.
The facilities sealed-off are Grace Royal Hotel, Okpuno-Awka; Standford Hotel, Awka, a residential building on number 348, Ziks Ave., Awka, Oando filling station at the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Amawbia, and a students’ lodge called Santa Maria lodge, Awka.
Mr Sylvester Agbapu, the Head of Enforcement Unit of Anambra Property and Use Charge (APLUC), explained that the closure followed the order of an Awka Magistrate Court presided over by Magistrate LaurettaOkoye.
“We don’t derive joy in sealing-off the property but you will discover that some people purposely and blatantlyrefuse to pay their property rates.
They even sometimes refuse to accept hearing notices from court bailiff
We usually give them a grace of three months bill notice before charging them to court
“The judgment was secured after they failed to pay their APLUC bills from 2011 to 2013.
He advised property owners to pay up their bills or risk having their buildings sealed-off.
He disclosed that the agency was currently handling more than 4,000 cases in Idemili, Onitsha, Aguata, Nnewi and Ihiala local council areas
