Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, have disagreed over alleged double taxation and economic hardship in the State.
There has been incessant protest by tricycle operators in the State, commercial motorcyclist and truck drivers at the Abakaliki Timber Market over alleged imposition of double taxation by the state revenue board, its agents and unions.
A PDP Chieftain, Moses 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 the them.
Mr Idika maintained that the issue of double taxation in Ebonyi State is a major concern because “it’s 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 Govenror Francis Nwifuru, thinks of first creating an enabling environment for small businesses to thrive in the state before these multiple unaccounted taxes.
“Create industrial cluster in the state capital, come up with clear investment incentives then people will bring in money then you can tax.
But the State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr. Jude Okpor, described the allegation of double taxation in the state as fake and calculated attempt by the opposition party to undermine the good works of the present administration.
“First of all, 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 in controlling the working and favourable business environments in the state.
“That is the work of the opposition. There is the need for journalists to take a step forward without only relying on what the representative elements are saying or relying 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 more 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, 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 of the truck drivers, timber dealers and the management of the timber market.
“You see, there is a new leadership that came on board. From the investigation I made, I came to find out that the new leadership increased the money that the truck and other vehicles carrying out businesses in the market are supposed to pay.
“And this they did that without the consent of the state government. So when the issue came up, the commissioner for Parks and Market Development in conjunction with the Commissioner for Transport stepped in to make sure that the issue is resolved amicably.
“So, if anybody is telling you that the protest is as a result of double taxation by the government, there is nothing like that at all. As a union, members have obligations to the union and the market.
“People in the market have obligations to the market, the market association and then the one that is due to the government has been resolved. In fact, it is even more business friendly than what it used to be.”
He stated that government cannot completely regulate the activities of the unions since they are considered as worthy partners making sure that the business environment is not only meant to be favourable but the environment and the structures that are put in place here are maintained.
