Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River, has exempted some
persons and organisations from paying tax in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration of an anti-tax agency headed by
Emma Isong, a bishop, the governor said that it is sad that government which
does not meet the needs of the people in many areas still collects tax from
them.
He said it better for him to “task my brain” than to expect
tax from people who are still struggling.
The governor said as he went round the state, he noticed the
level of poverty which has made some people to stay in mud houses.
Ayade, who broke down in tears, said: “I never knew that
five years as governor, there would still be people living in thatched houses
in Cross River. I almost cried because I knew how prepared I was but it didn’t
end the way I dreamt for the state. I wish God would intervene because I really
wish I could help. It’s very painful.”
He said if it pleases God, He should take his wealth so that
other people in the state could be rich.
“I charge you that this responsibility comes with its own
troubles, you have a choice to do that which is good and the selection of this
team is based on your history, it’s based on your profile,” he said.
“The understanding of your closeness to God and that you
will do that which is fair to all manners of people equally and fairly. We
charge you to ensure that the poor masses of Cross River State and the small
business owners do not come under the harsh hands of the desperate search for
money by tax consultants.
“Your responsibility from today going forward is to put and
end to illicit taxes on people. We I have a tax law here that prescribes the
people. We have a tax law here that prescribes the people who are exempted from
tax. All those categories of people and those that from time to time will be so
announced by the Governor, including every single hotel that has less than 50
rooms in Calabar and the whole state, today are exempted from payment of taxes.
“We have exempted all Okada riders, taxi drivers airport
taxi drivers, small saloon owners, small catering and restaurant points
popularly called mama put. All those people who sell basic things struggling to
earn a living, they have been exempted today from paying tax. We have exempted
them because it is better for me as governor to rather task my brain, than to
tax my people.”
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Politicians and their fake acting. They will say one thing while doing the other. They let people hear what they want and it ends there. Jare, ya lo. Fake make believe ni!
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