Gov. Okowa Imposes New Tax On Deltans, Threatens Defaulters With Unbearable Conditions

Delta state governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Okowa has imposed on Deltans from the informal sector a new tax regime with a threat to make live unbearable for defaulters by denying them some essential social amenities should they fail to cooperate with his government to pay the new tax due to commence Monday 24th, April, 2017, across the state.

The new tax which is pegged at N1, 000 monthly by the governor, HardReporters reliably gathered is targeted at all partisan operators in the state which includes Tailoring Associations, Motor Spare Parts Unions, Market Men and Women Associations, Keke Riders Association Of Nigeria, Farmers Association and Association Of Welders And Fabricators.

Others includes, National Automobile Technicians Association, Nigeria Tiller Association, Hair Dressers Associations, Association of Waste Management, Vulcanizer Association, Taxi Driver Association, National Association of Professional Carpenters, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Barbers Association, Recharge Card Dealers, Dry Cleaners among others.

Briefing Journalists on the commencement of the Delta State Informal Tax Collection at the Revenue House, Asaba, commissioner for Finance, Mr. David Edevbie, who was supposed to represent the governor was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Cornelius Semiteje who disclosed that the governor has said that those in the informal sector who would not pay their taxes would not be allowed to enjoy any social benefit from the government.

Announcing the commencement of the collection of the tax billed for Monday 24th, April 2017 across the state, the governor’s representative threatened that “The major condition for enlisting into the YAGEP, STEP, PPSP, Development of Agro-Industries and Microcredit should be the presentation of proof of tax payment by the sponsors and subsequently the beneficiaries.” adding that parents whose children are in school would not also benefit from the several scholarship schemes available to students from primary to the higher institutions unless they are valid tax payers for their wards to enjoy the benefits.

“The state government has provided several social services which only current tax payers would benefit from. As condition for accessing primary and secondary school education, the parents/sponsors of students must be valid tax payers in both private and public schools. To benefit from the government health care services, the individuals, the parents, sponsors
should be valid tax payers”.

Speaking with HardReporters correspondent, some barbers, Keke riders and hair dressers lambastes governor Okowa, saying he only interested in extorting the people through tax but yet nothing to show on ground in all of this collection.

“Two years almost gone and nothing tangible on ground to show by the Okowa’s administration apart from imposing and inflicting useless taxes on the people. I advise Okowa to travel to Akwa-Ibom and Rivers State to under study this two Niger Delta states before imposing on us useless taxes. What can Okowa boast of since he came to office.” a barber queried.