By Ene Asuquo
Against the backdrop of incessant taxation and extortion, the Cross River State Government has warned against those responsible for the illegal act by agent of local Government Areas .who are in the habit harrasing business owners.
The state Chairman of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service ( IRS) Akpanke Ogar dropped the warning when he received a delegation of Cross River/Akwa-Ibom State chapter of Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria (MAN) led by Mr Akin Oyediran during a courtesy visit in his office in Calabar.
Oyediran and members of MAN had alleged of multiple taxation by agent of the Cross River State Government to the point that some companies had to relocate to other states
According to the MAN Chairmen, some companies had to fold up because of incessant taxation and extortion by agent of the Cross River State Government.
But reacting to the issue, the State Chairman of (IRS) Akpanke Ogar said IRS has been carrying out a lot of awareness and sensitization programme across the state on the activities of multiple taxation especially local Government agents.
“We are not unaware of the difficulties face by MAN members we have moved from taxation to extortion”
Akpanke said the state government is taking seriously steps towards addressing the issue of multiple taxation and extortion by agent of local Government.
“We are trying to work with security agencies to ensure that those caught are brought to book and sanction appropriately”
He appealed to the business Community in the state to show understanding as according to him, the state government is taking the matter seriously with a view of addressing them.
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