Over 50 members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) have protested multiple taxation and levies imposed on them by the Delta State government. The protest was staged in Asaba, the state capital yesterday.
The members who carried placards of different inscriptions like; “Say no to multiple taxation, say no to aggressive harassment,” “our children’s welfare is important,” and “the government should obey the rule of law” among others, protested to the Government House, Asaba.
The chairman of the South-South zone of NAPPS, Dr Akpere Ochuko, who spoke on behalf of other members, lamented the imposition of multiple taxation and levies by the state government on his members, saying “we can no longer cope.”
He further lamented that the agencies of government have been threatening them that they cannot present their learners for the ongoing external exams enrollment unless they pay the renewal fees for their schools.
While revealing that they have written several letters to the Ministry of Education to let them know that payment of renewal fees is one of the reasons they are in court, he said the ministry insisted they would not clear their students for the enrollment of the various external examinations like WAEC, NECO, BECE and the primary six cognitive examinations except they pay the renewal fee for 2023.
According to him, this is unacceptable to them especially when the expiring date of these examinations is just a few days ahead. “Our parents and children will suffer a lot and the schools will be in trouble. We want the government to follow the rule of law. Let the court decide the matter,” he said.
Addressing the protesters, commissioner for primary education, Hon Sunday Onoriode, flanked by his counterpart in information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, commended them for the peaceful protest, asking them to present their cases in an official manner.
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