A member of the House of Representatives, representing Gwer East and Gwer West Federal Constituency in Benue State, has expressed his deep concern over the significant financial losses he incurred due to the sudden shutdown of his business premises just days before Christmas. Architect Asema Achado, a federal lawmaker and the owner of two major business outfits—City Bay Park, a recreational center, and Benysta Microfinance Bank—was left counting the cost of the forced closures which happened on December 23, 2024.
The closures were carried out by officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), who targeted several recreational centers and parks in Makurdi, the state capital. The shutdown occurred just two days before Christmas, a time when businesses catering to festive needs were in full operation.
Achado, who also emphasized the importance of his business in generating employment for the local youth, called the move unfortunate, especially as it coincided with the holiday season when many vendors were preparing for the festive rush. He highlighted the detrimental impact on vendors who had purchased perishable goods like frozen fish and chicken, all of which went to waste when the premises were sealed.
In a press briefing in Makurdi, Achado lamented, “Some of the vendors doing business in City Bay Park had purchased large quantities of frozen fish, chicken, and other perishable food items in anticipation of the Christmas celebrations. Sadly, much of these items have rotted due to the forced shutdown of the park.”
The controversy began when officials from the BIRS, along with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, sealed both City Bay Park and Benysta Microfinance Bank after presenting demand notices regarding unpaid business premises registration fees. Achado clarified that while City Bay Park is a government-owned property, he had made efforts to comply by paying ₦20,000 for registration and an additional ₦219,000 as default charges to avoid a confrontation. These payments were made on December 23, 2024, and receipts for the transactions were duly issued.
However, even after these payments were made, the premises were resealed after another ₦20,000 was paid to unseal City Bay Park. The second sealing operation escalated quickly, with officials reportedly using excessive force, including tear gas, which led to injuries and distress among customers, including children and the elderly. Some individuals even fainted during the chaos, and others sustained serious injuries.
Achado expressed his frustration, stating that the lives and livelihoods of employees and subtenants, particularly those involved in the sale of perishable goods, were severely disrupted. “The impact on vendors, employees, and the community is devastating. Despite our best efforts to resolve the situation with the authorities, both business premises remain sealed,” he said.
He called on stakeholders in Benue State to intervene and appeal to the state government to resolve the matter, ensuring that businesses can continue to operate and contribute to the local economy.
In response to the incident, anonymous sources from both the Benue State Internal Revenue Service and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated that the businesses were shut down due to non-compliance with business tax regulations despite several prior warnings. One official said, “The businesses failed to pay the required taxes after multiple notices were served to them.”
As the situation continues to unfold, the lawmaker has called for a swift resolution to prevent further losses and ensure that businesses, especially those contributing to employment in the state, are supported rather than hindered during critical periods like the holiday season.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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