Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade yesterday announced that low-income earners will no longer pay taxes.
Ayade told reporters in Calabar, the state capital, that a bill to this effect was before the House of Assembly.
The governor said the poor could not continue to suffer while the rich keep amassing wealth without giving back, describing the bill as people-oriented.
Those affected by the tax exemption policy include civil servants on minimum wage, petty traders, commercial motorcyclists and recharge card vendors, among others.
Governor Ayade said: “Let our desperation for taxation not allow us to heap the burden on the poor. This must stop. Definitely, God has a purpose of bringing me here as a governor and I must not disappoint my creator.”
Continuing, he said: “I expect commercial motorcyclists to live within the confines of the law when the bill becomes operational as they will be expected to drive and earn a good living.”
He said plans have reached advanced stage to explore the state’s waterfront to generate revenue to boost and cushion the effect of the new tax regime.
On the eight-month strike by Judiciary workers, Ayade said the issue had been looked into as their salaries and other entitlements would be settled by end of August.
He urged them to reciprocate the government’s gesture by returning to work as soon as possible.
On the proposed signature projects, the governor said construction had commenced, adding that President Muhammed Buhari would perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the dual carriage superhighway in September.
Ayade hailed Buhari for displaying maturity in leadership by keeping to his promise of being a President for all.
The governor said the poor could not continue to suffer while the rich keep amassing wealth without giving back, describing the bill as people-oriented.
Those affected by the tax exemption policy include civil servants on minimum wage, petty traders, commercial motorcyclists and recharge card vendors, among others.
Governor Ayade said: “Let our desperation for taxation not allow us to heap the burden on the poor. This must stop. Definitely, God has a purpose of bringing me here as a governor and I must not disappoint my creator.”
Continuing, he said: “I expect commercial motorcyclists to live within the confines of the law when the bill becomes operational as they will be expected to drive and earn a good living.”
He said plans have reached advanced stage to explore the state’s waterfront to generate revenue to boost and cushion the effect of the new tax regime.
On the eight-month strike by Judiciary workers, Ayade said the issue had been looked into as their salaries and other entitlements would be settled by end of August.
He urged them to reciprocate the government’s gesture by returning to work as soon as possible.
On the proposed signature projects, the governor said construction had commenced, adding that President Muhammed Buhari would perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the dual carriage superhighway in September.
Ayade hailed Buhari for displaying maturity in leadership by keeping to his promise of being a President for all.
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