Press Release
The Action Congress of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter has called on the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi to educate the people on which tax the State Government wants to collect from the people, in the proposed door to door tax collection as announced by him.
The Party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, was reacting to proclamation by the Governor on the intent of the Rivers State Government to commence door to door tax collection in the State.
Jerry Needam said the clarification has become necessary following controversies the announcement has generated in the State.
More importantly the party said, the ambiguous statement made by the governor on door to door collection of taxes in Rivers State, did not specify taxes to be collected as stipulated in existing acts and other laws in Nigeria as applicable in Rivers State.
The party said existing acts or laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as applicable in Rivers State stipulate taxes and levies listed in several schedules that shall be collected by the Federal Government, State Government and Local Government.
The Governor the party boldly noted has taken over the functions of his Commissioners, other aides, agencies and parastatals of government in a manner that smacks of sole administratorship.
“The governor should also be told that in Rivers State there are the State and Local Government, and there are also taxes and levies that the State Government cannot collect on behalf of the Local Government”.
It should be noted also that Rivers people under Governor Amaechi, are heavily over taxed, considering the Social Services Contributory Levy, the Sanitation levies, job employment levies, among other levies in the State.
The Rivers State Governor should publicly give explanation on the use of about two trillion naira accruable to the State, under his watch.
The governor should also explain what he has done with all the monies voted for road construction and maintenance in the State, yet the roads have become death traps, claiming lives regularly.
It behooves on the governor to provide basic amenities like good roads and water.
The Action Congress of Nigeria regrets that Gov Rotimi Amaechi has not delivered on his campaign promises.
We insist on the governor to be accountable for his actions of his public utterances and desist from playing to the gallery.
Signed:
Jerry Needam, JP
Publicity Secretary
Action Congress of Nigeria
Rivers State.
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
