Calabar Chamber Of Commence Frowns At Multiple Taxation In Cross River State

The Calabar Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, has frowned at the multiple taxation in Cross River State saying that harmonization of taxes would attract investors to boost the state  economy growth and business friendly environment.

President, Calabar Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, David Etim who disclosed this during a radio programme over the weekend in Cross River State, reiterated that the harsh business environment has been unfair to investors and investments noting that the state is yet to tap the maximum potentials.

Etim noted that the harsh environment in the state has led to high rate of unemployment and under employment  adding that the illegal and multiple taxation has not be encouraging for business to thrive.

He affirmed that talks are ongoing between the chambers and the Cross River State government on the need to streamline tax collection in the state stressing that reduction of taxation would promote a healthy and friendly business environment, which in turn will boost small and medium businesses in the state.

According to him, the chamber is an advocacy group for taxes to be harmonised  by the state government stressing that the tax mechanism system would lead to efficiency in governance.

While assuring the traders and small business owners of constant engagement with the state government, Etim explained that issues bothering on  taxation would top the agenda of discussion with the governor of Cross Rivers State adding that the state is strategically located in Nigeria to promote International trade just like Lagos State.

He further called on the governor to enforce and implement the issue of tax harmonisation at state and local levels adding that the legitimate taxes have been identified  by the government .

He also advocated  for tax reduction to encourage small business saying that the daily permit collection by touts was Illegal.

Etim lamented that the previous administration was unable to handle the issue of multiple taxation ecosystem in Cross River State, calling on the Otu led administration to pay more attention on illicit tax collection.

On the  business prospects of the Prince Bassey Otu administration, he noted that Cross River and Lagos are the only states in Nigeria that have three International entry points : namely- Airport, seaport and border post with neighbouring country, pointing out that job creation ordinarily, would have been high because of the numerous potentials.

The President reiterated that:”Government can only absorb maximum of 15% of employment and 75% is done by the private sector but when we have issues bothering on multiple taxation then it will discourage investors from employment of labour.

” In a hostile environment like Cross Rivers State , we will begin to see high rate of unemployment and under employment because of the taxes.

” The essence of what the chambers is doing is to engage and advise government on how to tackle and mitigate this multiple taxation and promote harmonisation of taxes.’

“These illegal multiple taxations have created a hostile environment for business and investment to thrive, “the Chamber’s President decried.

By Roland Ekama