From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Cross River State governorship candidate for Social Democratic Party (SDP), Effiom Okokon, has pledged to initiate policies and programmes that would reduce the poverty level in the state if elected in 2023.
Okokon, made the pledge in an interaction with journalists in Calabar on Thursday, said the state is undergoing the worst form economic policies and programmes that could restructure and lift many Cross Riverians out of poverty.
While reeling out the his six point agenda, which bothered on rule of law, Social justice, agriculture, education and others, he stated that the passion to serve the state as governor was the brain behind his coming out to contest for the Governorship position so that he can liberate the state.
On the issue of misconception by certain administrations who over-taxed their citizens hoping to increase their revenue base, the SDP Governorship Candidate advised government to desist forth from increasing the taxes to be paid by their citizens.
“Government should have no business stepping up it taxes just because it wants to make money. It will end up impoverishing is citizens making life so difficult.
“When elected, I will ensure that more money remains in the pockets of our citizens. When that is done, people would have money to spend. I will ensure that new money comes into the economy of the state.”
According to him, this could be done through new investment opportunities by attract new companies to the state so that unemployed can be given employment rather than depending on federal allocation”.
He added that his administration shall come up with a policy that would ensure that all the money meant to boost the coffers of state government go directly into the state government’s coffers and no where else.