Calabar Water Vendors Protest ₦1,800 Daily Levy

Pure water distributors in Calabar are planning to embark on an indefinite strike over ticket dues.

The distributors, who use tricycles and vehicles to sell pure water, claimed they are being overcharged by revenue agents in the state.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, a pure water distributor Mr. Desmond Okra, expressed their frustration.

“We are forced to buy Daily Operation Tolls, Economic Development levy, Commerce Development levy, Air Pollution/Climate change, CRTRA Daily Operational Tolls, Delivery Tricycle, and Ministry of Environment 2026 Ecology levy, which amounts to ₦1,800 daily,” he said.

Lamenting on the issue, Okra said it’s unfair, especially when compared to the ₦500 daily levy paid by mini buses and keke operators, as stipulated by the state governor, Bassey Otu.

The distributors are angry and feel they are being unfairly treated demanding to be considered in the review of daily tickets and are willing to take drastic action to press home their demands.

On the contrary, Maurice Etim Okon, Chairman of the Association of Table Water Producers in the State (ATWAP), said he was not aware of the plan protest and subsequent strike.

He disclosed that registered members of the association are exempted from the levies, following a smooth working relationship with revenue agents in the state.

“We have done the needful to alleviate the suffering of our members, and they are exempted from the levies,” Ikom said.

Efforts to reach out to Authorities of Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (CRSIRS) were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The strike, if it takes place, is expected to affect the distribution of pure water in Calabar Metropolis and its environs, causing inconvenience to residents who rely on the service.