The Ebonyi State government and a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mazi Moses Idika, have disagreed over alleged double taxation and economic hardship in the state.
There has been incessant protest by tricycle operators in the state, commercial motorcyclists, and truck drivers at the Abakaliki Timber Market over the alleged imposition of double taxation by the State Revenue Board, its agents, and unions.
The People’s Democratic Party chieftain, Mazi Idika, worried by the protests, accused the state government of imposing double taxation and causing economic hardship amongst the people of the state, which he said is gradually squeezing life and businesses out of them.
Mazi Idika maintained that the issue of double taxation in Ebonyi State is a major concern because “It is squeezing life and businesses out of the people residing in the state.
“Even with the pervasive poverty and lack in the state, all manner of toll collection is a major source of income for friends of the government.
“I sincerely suggest that the government of Hon. Ogbonna Nwifuru thought of first creating an enabling environment for small businesses to thrive in the state before these multiple unaccounted taxes.
“Create an industrial cluster in the state capital, come up with clear investment incentives, and people will bring in money, which you can tax.”
However, in a swift reaction, the state commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr Jude Okpor, described the allegation of double taxation in the state as a fake and calculated attempt by the opposition party to undermine the good works of the present administration.
“First, let me tell you practically that there is nothing like double taxation in Ebonyi State. They only intend to undermine the effort of the government to control the working and favourable business environments in the state.
“That is the work of the opposition. Journalists need to take a step forward without relying only on what the representative elements are saying or on what I am saying from the side of the government. You can approach the businessmen and make inquiries.
“Before now, people used to pay heavy taxes for their businesses, and it was so challenging, but it is no longer in existence.
“There is no double taxation in the state. I can tell you that the business environment in the state today, under the present administration, has been very favourable to all kinds of businesses.
“And that is why you can see, and the government has made it very clear, over and over again, that the government is not interested in taxing low-income earners in the state. That is why the state is giving massive orders to the agencies in charge of revenue generation to leave the low-income earners in the state, especially people from the villages that usually come to the town to sell their farm produce to make a living.
“Yes, the state wants resources. We want an increase in the internally generated revenue. But not at the expense of the citizens of the state, particularly the low-income earners.”
Mr Okpor stated that the recent protest by truck drivers at the Timber shade market is an internal disagreement between the truck drivers, timber dealers, and the timber market’s management.
He stated that the government cannot completely regulate the activities of the unions since they are considered worthy partners. He assured that the business environment was not only meant to be favourable but that the environment and structures put in place were maintained.
The information commissioner noted that the matter would soon be resolved following the intervention of the commissioners in charge.
“Let nobody deceive you. If there is any small disagreement somewhere, people will just take it out of context and try to drag the image of the government into the mood. Anyway, that is the work of the opposition. But then, the opposition should not be established on falsehoods,” he added.
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