Ayade Abolishes Taxes For Low Income Earners

SAN FRANCISCO, August 19, (THEWILL) – Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, Wednesday, made public his decision to abolish all forms of taxation for low income earners in the state.‎

Ayade, who disclosed this during a media parley in Calabar, said a bill to this effect is before the State House of Assembly.

The governor maintained that the poor could not continue to suffer while the rich keep amassing wealth without giving back, describing the bill as people-oriented.

Those affected by the governor's tax exemption policy include civil servants on minimum wage, petty traders, commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada, recharge card vendors among others.

According to Ayade, “Let our desperation for taxation not allow us to heap the burden on the poor. This must stop. Definitely, God has a purpose of bringing me here as a governor and I must not disappoint my creator.”

Continuing, he said: “I therefore expect the okada riders to live within the confines of the law when the bill becomes operational as they will be expected to ride and earn a good living.”

Ayade explained that plans have reached advanced stage to explore the state's water fronts with the view to generating revenue to boost and cushion the effect of the new tax regime as well as boost the revenue profile of the state.

On the issue of the eight months strike action embarked by the judiciary staff in the state, Governor Ayade disclosed that the issue has been looked into as their salaries and other entitlements will be fully settled by the end of August, while urging them to reciprocate the government's gesture by returning to work as soon as possible to bring back that arm of government to live.

On the proposed signature projects, the governor disclosed that pilling and construction work has commenced, revealing that President Muhammed Buhari has accepted to come and perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the dual carriage super highway in September.

Ayade particularly lauded President Buhari for displaying maturity in leadership by keeping to his promise of being a president for all, irrespective of party affiliations.

“The president, after listening to my presentation, agreed to do everything possible as president to ensure that we achieve and deliver on the various projects of my administration. In fact, he has accepted my invitation to come and perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the 260km dual carriage super highway,” he said.