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| Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, Deputy Leader of the CRS 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the 10th Assembly and Hon. Stanley Nsemo, Member representing Calabar Municipality |
Hope seems to be on the way for traders and business owners in Cross River state as the
Cross River State House of Assembly has waded into the phenomenon of multiple taxation in the state that has plagued them in the state over the years.
On Tuesday the Speaker of the State Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, set a seven-mann man committee to look into the issue and come up with a resolution within 7 days.
The committee comprises Davies Etta of Abi State Constituency as chairman, Hon BrianOdey, Hon Okon Owuna of Akamkpa State Constituency, Hon Stanley Nsemo of Calabar Municipality State Constituency, Hon Eyo Bassey of Bakassi State Constituency, Hon Charles Omang, and Hon Effiong Ekarika of Calabar South
Their terms of reference are to look into the issue of excessive tax in the market, and harassment of the traders.
In a chat with the chairman of the committee, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Davies Etta informed that his committee will swing into action and ensure every culprit in the illegal taxation menace is brought to book.
He explained that the House received a petition from market traders over multiple illegal taxations carried out by some persons within the APC structure who have no business in collecting tolls for the government.
He said when the committee meet, they will invite the petitioners and thereafter the perpetrators that will be mentioned. After hearing they will make their recommendations to the house for further actions.
He however decried the untold hardship some heartless political aides and thugs have subjected poor petty traders to.
Recall that the issues of excessive taxation and harassment of traders in Calabar mArkets had been a burning issue of discussion sometime last year with no one coming to the aid of the innocent petty traders who are daily enslaved.