C’River Gov.Suspends Taxes/ Levies on Taxi drivers till further notice

Senator Ben Ayade, the Governor of Cross River has directed the immediate suspension of all taxes and levies currently being paid by taxi drivers in Calabar pending when government shall come out with a harmonized figure.

Ayade gave the directive when members of the Cross River State Drivers’ Association, led by the Chairman, Pastor Thomas Effiong Okon carried out a peaceful protest to the Governor’s Office to bring to the attention of the Governor the multiple taxes they were being made to pay daily by the various agencies and bodies in Calabar.

Governor Ayade who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Tina Banku Agbor, also directed the immediate release of all impounded vehicles without delay, explaining that government will soon come out with a harmonized single figure for the interest of both the government and the association.

He said that he was committed to running a government that will help assuage the sufferings of the people and not to cause more hardship, stressing that it was based on this premise that his administration exempted the poor and low income earners from payment of taxes.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Drivers’ Association, Pastor Thomas Effiong Okon said they decided to embark on the peaceful protest to draw the attention of the governor to their plight.

posted by Arit Ofem