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IT is understandable why this story is trending: Abia Governor is adjudged a performer. But to bill an akara seller N50,000 as tax, raises eyebrows.
When I first heard the allegation, I could not easily make up my mind on how to react to it.
Now, Abia State Government has dismissed the allegation that it imposed N50,000 tax on women selling akara in the the state.
The government also denied reports that it is subjecting school proprietors and other business owners in the state to excruciating taxations.
Abia State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, who made the clarification on Monday in Umuahia while briefing journalists on the outcome of the week’s Executive Council Meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, said the state government had earlier abolished multiple taxation and did not introduce any new tax as being alleged by the opposition.
While the issue of taxation has remained one spot opponents of Governor Otti have sworn to attack him on, it is both curious and instructive that they choose an akara seller and school owners.
The point is, while taxation is a globally acknowledged source of government revenue, it’s target payers and the sheer size of such taxation must be carefully considered by the government.
As for Otti and the current allegation, I chose to believe his government for it would be suicidal for a government that has taken bold and impressive steps to allow such an avoidable error capable of denting it’s commendable record.
