By Ogar Monday
Mixed reactions have trailed the announcement by the Cross River state governor, Senator Ben Ayade that he was abolishing all forms of taxation for low income earners in the state.
Our correspondent who went to town to seek the opinion of those the policy is meant to affect reported that while some respondents were happy and looked forward to the commencement of the process, others said it was another government trick.
Speaking to our correspondence in pidgin English, a lady who sells recharge cards at Mount Zion Junction and identified herself as Mary said she hopes the Governor keeps to his word.
“God will bless the Governor for such a decision, the money they collect as tax will now be channelled into solving some other domestic problems.
“Those people(tax collectors) just come here and collect money without first ascertaining if you can pay or not and if you try to explain to them they will seize your things.”
She said she was going to inform them of the Governors decision when next they come.
Also speaking, Samuel Adayi a mobile phone dealer along Unical Small Gate by Etta-Agbor said his friend had told him about the news and he is sure it will work.
“Our Governor, Ben Ayade is not a kind of person that makes promises he can’t fulfil. When I first heard of it, I became glad as the decision will save a lot of smalI businesses.
“I know he will implement it and will also put in place the necessary logistics that will checkmate attempts to abuse it.
Another respondent who identified himself as Chinonso a trader at the Watt Market, who before commenting asked for the details of the Governors pronouncement said he doubts if that might work
“I have been in this state for over twenty years, and that means I have seen different administrations who made policies and pronouncement they never really wanted to implement and see through.
“This policy will not work, not because it is not good but because it is not specific enough. It sounds like something meant for you people (Press)”
“If the Governor is serious he should have told us all the type of people captured, when the policy starts, without leaving for interpretations by cunning tax collectors”. He said
It will be recalled that the Governor had earlier this week announced plans to abolish tax for civil servants on minimum wage, petty traders, commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as Okada, recharge card vendors among others who are classified under low income earners.
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