…commuters groan over excessive tax regime…
Arising from several complaints by commuters and road users alike on the excessive taxes found on our highways and other points of entry in Cross River State, the Cross River State Government in a bid to stop the mance of illegal check points and tolls in the state has begun a massive crackdown on such illegalities. However, the burden of this move is in limbo.
Report has it that, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tolls Collection, Mr. Bassey Ita Edet led a monitoring and inspection delegation to the Northern parts of Cross River State to see things for himself and to possibly called for an end to all illegal tolls and checkpoints in the state, in line with the mandate of his Excellency senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.
The team which was saddled with the mandate to enforce, inspect and monitor all approved Checkpoints and Tolls collection in the state who arrived the Northern Senatorial District to ensure compliance and Due process in tolls collection in CRS were in awe at some of the revelations.
This development which kickstarted a joyous mood on the commuters who were happy when the S.A to the Governor on Toll Collection Team arrived Northern Cross River on the 14th May, 2023, this joy has a slender body as it suffers a relapse in continuity and implementation on whether to continue with the current tax regime or to end it. This is because efforts to him for comments on the position of State Government in line with policy thrust of this administration as at the time of filing this report was not possible as his number was not reachable.
However, our reporter who was on the ground discovered that a total of almost 50 revenue subheads are used to get money from commuters on roads within Cross River State.
The Asst. IRS Coordinator/Taskforce Chairman, Bekwarra LGA makes things worse by abusing and bullying commuters who dare to find out why the subheads are numerous, which amounts to high fees and levies.
From the investigation, nothing less than 27,000 Naira is collected from each vehicle carrying goods to or fro Bekwarra, and failure to comply results to impoundments, offloading of goods and passengers.
Passengers are harassed by the TaskForce Chairman’s thugs and boys. While on investigation, our reporter witnessed a case of some commuters who were manhandled. The victims (names withheld) disclosed to our correspondent confidentially that IRS Bekwarra Coordinator uses men in military uniforms to harass and beat them up. They were shocked and had to asked when the military began to meddle in the State Internal Revenue Affairs?
Efforts to reach, Dr. Thompson Omang an academic doctor and lecturer in the University of Calabar who is allegedly the coordinator proved abortive as his agents blatantly refused to disclose his phone number to our reporter. The near attempt on this resulted to his being given a wrong number making it impossible to reach him.
They also revealed that there is a third party to this high handedness whose job descriptions bothers on surveillance. Sunny, as he is called is the Coordinator’s assistant according to our source. He collects 10,000 Naira from each vehicle carrying goods.
Speaking with some of the consultants who pleaded anonymity said, “the P.A to the Internal Revenue Chairman sold majority of the subheads to them for two million Naira each”. It is on this ground that the vendors are out to recover their monies since the contract is yearly, and subject to renewal.
Commuters are also complaining of the other road taxes in the other part of the state.
From observation , this is one of the major reason for the increment in the cost of food items and farm produce cultivated in Cross River State.
Some persons who have no idea on public administration are trying to tarnish the Governor’s name, we are sure that the IRS Acting Chairman and HE the Governor are not aware of all these wickedness perpetuated by those they have given sub offices to function.
We call on the Governor and the CRS House of Assembly to look into the matter. It also best to call Dr. Thompson Omang to order to possibly reduce the subheads and regulate the amount of levies on the road or terminate his services. According to one of the stakeholders in the transportation business, “It is surprising that many Nigerians who are elected or appointed to serve end up being principalities, inflicting pains on the people. Let’s not pretend, we are really suffering, hence it beats my imagination when others just decide to compound the problems of the suffering lots because of personal gains”, he added.
People are suffering with the current hardship in the nation, their acts does not align with the “People – First Agenda’ of HE. Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, the Governor of Cross River State.
The following are a few of the revenue subheads, and some with strange nomenclatures:
1. Consumer Protection Levy.
2. Sand Landing Levy
3. Economic Development Levy
4. Women and Social Development Levy.
5. Non Cocoa Produce Inspection Fee.
6. Outgoing Levy – 15,000 in Beten and 12,000 in Gakem Produce Point then 1,000 in each of the 5 IRS check points in Bekwarra
7. Welfare Levy
8. Economic and Development Levy
9. Daily Operational Toll Levy
10. Proceeds Levy
11. Towners Levy
12. Cargos Levy
13. Surveillance Levy – 10,000
14. Road Infrastructure- 6,000
15. Consumer Protection Levy
16. Commercial Levy
17. Entry Gate Pass Levy
18. Local Government Taxes
19. Industrial Development Levy
20. Pollution Levy
21. Cross River Urban Development Levy
22. Youth Development Levy
23. Commodity and Commerce Levy
24. Livestock Tax
25. Inter State Levy
26. JTB Levy is also in Bekwarra (North) and Central
27. Cross River State Hazard Levy
28. Evacuation Levy
29. DOPT (Now TRAMRA)
30. Security Levy – 1000 × 5 approved IRS checkpoints in Bekwarra by the Coordinator