By Ani Bassey
The Cross River State Anti tax agency has condemned the rising assault on low income earners and traders across the state.
The agency said it is worrisome that in spite of the good intentions of the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, to make life more meaningful for the people some unpatriotic revenue collectors have continued to exploit the poor.
Chairman of the agency Bishop Dr. Emmah Isong disclosed in Calabar.
Bishop Isong’s reaction comes against the back drop of a renewed harassment of low income earners by different categories of illegal tax collector’s across the state.
He decried the assault on traders in the state despite the policy of the state government against illegal taxes and urged the victims of this act to desist forthwith.
“The reported case of a case of a tragic incident which occurred March 18, 2021 at the Municipal in which one Chuks, in a trending video, was dehumanised by an illicit tax operator’s in Calabar, is despicable.
“There is also a reported case where one Mrs chukwuma, a widow with 4 children leaving at 8 Miles, was allegedly manhandled and her goods impounded by hoodlums masquerading as tax collectors and given 7 days to pay up or lose her goods.
“His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade, had issued series of warnings to the perpetrators to desist from such inhuman act of extorting people of their hard-earned money because it is against the Cross River State Tax exception law”, he said.
He emphasized that the Agency is totally committed to riding the state of such illegalities and would not fail to prosecute offenders.
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He called on traders and low income earners to dial the Agency’s hotlines, 0702 610 5177 as the Enforcement Team is on standby for their rescue while the Special Court in place to ensure that judicious handling of cases regarding illegal taxation.
He equally called on all government agencies in charge of revenues to carry out their functions in accordance with the laid down best practices to give succor to our poor citizens.
