Entrepreneur wants tax rebate from Kogi government as shopping mall is commissioned

Chuks Shopping Mall, a replica of a Shoprite, has been opened in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Speaking during the commissioning, Nicholas Ofodile, the CEO/managing director of Chuks Conglomerate, pleaded with the state government to give him some tax waiver.

Arike Folashade Ayoade, secretary to the State Government, represented Governor Yahaya Bello at the commissioning of the mall.

In her remarks, Ayoade said Chuks Shopping Mall was adding value to the economic development of Kogi State.

She described the shopping mall as an edifice that stands out in the city of Lokoja, as she prayed that Nicholas Ofodile, the CEO/managing director of Chuks Conglomerate, will reap the benefit of his work, adding that the state government will support the mall.

The Secretary to the State Government equally urged other investors to come and invest in Kogi free of charge, maintaining that with the elevation in Chuks Conglomerate, his tax has equally changed.

Speaking shortly after the commissioning of the shopping mall, Ofodile said a lot of things motivated him to go into the project in Kogi, positing that he likes to do things in a unique way as he has made his own contribution in the development of the economy of the Confluence state.

Ofodile said that the state government has provided an enabling environment for him to do business but pleaded for its support, adding that once they give him support he is ready to do more.

Speaking on the issue of tax, Ofodile said he took loan from the bank to put up the edifice and the stocks, while pleading with the government to “have mercy on him.

“But on the tax issue, government should have mercy on me because I know tax is coming because government has said it. I know am ready to pay on my own quota for the development of Kogi State, but let them bear in mind that whatever thing that is stocked here is being supplied by the companies on credit. So I am still going to offset the bills”.

Ofodile, who said he has spent 38 years in Kogi State serving the people, urged his customers not to relent in patronising him, saying the new shopping mall was built to add to their taste and pleasure. “Apart from providing job opportunities, it is also an avenue to make available standard products at affordable prices for them,” Ofodile said.

Victoria Nnakiaike