C'River Gov't Discloses Plans To Harmonize Levies, Taxes
By Hannah ARIKPO
The Cross River State Government has disclosed intention to resolve the issue of Levies and taxation as a priority to boost the low investment climate of the state.
Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Mrs Abigail Duke Orok who made the disclosure while speaking with Newsmen in Calabar observed that excessive taxation by past administrations has either shut down many businesses or sent some investors parking from Cross River, a situation that has tagged Cross River as a purely Civil Service state.
She noted that the ministry is synergizing with other line ministries and agencies on how to create an enabling environment for business to thrive by harmonizing taxes not only in the state capital but across the local government areas.
The Commissioner expressed the desire of the present administration to terminate hipcups that hinder the growth of business for individual entrepreneurs, small scale industries and investors while others spring up to boost the economy of the State.
"Our top priority is to look into the ease of doing business by creating the enabling environment for existing and would be investors. We have met with authorities of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Ministry of local government affairs among others, to see how we can harmonize taxes because there's so much pressure on SMEs in the local governments", the Commissioner stated.
"Many Companies folded up due to excess taxes, to encourage establishment of new businesses, we have to resolve the problems multiple taxation have created to us as a government", she explained.
The Commissioner commended the Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu for restoring the clean and green status of Calabar through the regular evacuation of refuse in the metropolis as well as Security to check the activities of hoodlums and kidnappers, which are all geared towards attracting investment to Cross River.
Mrs Orok also announced plans by the State Government to assist SMEs dealing in agro products through loans to increase their production capacity from local consumption to exports.
"Plans are underway to grant loans to assist entrepreneurs to increase their produce for exports", She disclosed.
