Owners of Private Schools Association of Nigeria, OPSAN, has called on the State Government to review the various taxes and levies that its agencies are demanding from owners of private schools.
OPSAN’s National President, Prof. Uzochukwu Nwanonyuo, made the appeal on Monday during the inauguration of the association’s new Anambra state executive, led by Chief Ernest Iwuamadi.
Nwanonyuo urged governor, Chukwuma Soludo to urgently intervene and bail the private schools from the challenges of multiple taxation, illegal levies, adding that private schools should not be perceived as business ventures but as an institution that offered social services for God and humanity.
He said: “Our major challenge in the state is the exorbitant taxes and levies. We call on the state government to address the matter urgently.
“Another challenge is the encroachment and harassment by a group called ‘Anambra State Joint Enforcement Unit’. Their activities have been affecting quality education in the state.
“Government needs to make the regulatory unit understand that schools are not similar to commercial environment. It requires decorum.
Proprietors are not running profit-oriented businesses, rather, we are doing social services for God and humanity, we are helping the government address the decadence in educational system,” he added.