Politicians behind illegal taxes in C’River, Says Anti-Tax Agency Boss
From Bong Bassey, Calabar
The Chairman of the Cross-River State Anti-Tax Agency, Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong has identified politicians as being responsible for illegal taxation in the state.
The bishop made this known as his agency has commenced a drive to arrest and prosecute those engaging in the practice.
He said his agency, which is composed of members of the clergy hopes to reverse the trend and serve as a catalyst for the economic revival of the state.
“The touts you see on the streets oppressing and punishing Cross Riverians are not of themselves, they are being sent to those revenue points by people that help politicians including local government chairmen to win elections.
“They are placed there as rewards for electoral victories that is why activities of illegal tax collectors surges immediately after local government elections if you notice that and therefore the narrative is very true that the people you arrest on the streets are chip off the old block or sons and daughters.
“Therefore, what the anti-Tax Agency is going to do is to hold onto the little lion until the mother lion comes out. So, to the glory of God and the good of the people of the state we are unmasking the masquerades behind illegal taxation and hope with these activities they should repent.
“There is no way government will deal with illegal taxes without also dealing with cultism because many occultic boys are sent by their masters as a form of compensation and we are saying no to this”, Bishop Isong said.
He said the governor is particularly concerned with the challenges low income earners are made to go through and the agency is a melting point between his personal commitment/prayers for the welfare of people and that of the governor of the state.
He said over seven thousand people including businesses have left the state as a result of illegal taxes and the aim of the agency is to have these businesses and factories return back to the state thereby serving as a catalyst for the economic revival of Cross River State.
He added that the long-term plan of the agency is to resettle and place some of the legal tax collectors in farms and state-owned plantations which is being envisaged by the agency so that do not return to the deed
