Illegal taxation detrimental to economic growth of C’ River – agency

The Chairman of Cross River Anti-Tax Agency, Bishop Emmah Isong, on Tuesday said illegal taxation was detrimental to economic growth of the state.

Isong, who said this in Calabar during an interface with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Cross River Chapter, said this informed the decision of Gov. Ben Ayade in setting up the agency.

He said the agency was soliciting for partnership with the Christian body to help curb the menace and reverse the ugly trend in the state.

“Illegal taxation is killing our people and the governor wept while setting the agency up to underscore the suffering his people are going through.

“We need CAN to help us in creating awareness and sensitisation as well as cooperation in terms of the Anti-Tax Brigades and Marshals that will be engaged,” he said.

Isong said that the agency had gone far in its task by requesting the Cross River State Assembly to broaden the 2015 Tax Exemption Law of the state.

Isong added that the agency was seeking the consent of the judiciary in setting up mobile courts and approval for this had been granted in principle by the state Chief Judge.

He said that the mission of the agency was to build a better economic future for the people of the state in line with the governor’s vision.

In his response, the Chairman of CAN in Cross River, Most, Rev. Okon Ekpenyong, said the Christian body would work with the agency to succeed.

“We will always work together and continuously interface with the agency to guarantee its success.

“So many companies have left the state due to taxation and with the caliber of people in this agency, I am confident of your success”, he said.

NAN reports that some days ago, the Cross River Anti-Tax Agency was established by Ayade to check illegal taxation in the state and approached the State House of Assembly to amend the 2015 Tax Exemption Law of Cross River. (NAN)