|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Princess Esu Olumba Obu
By Akpan David, Calabar
Multiplicity of cut–throat taxes by illegal tax agents and touts are driving genuine investors and private entrepreneurs out of Cross River State.
Group Managing Director of Royal International Farms Ltd, Princess Esu Olumba Obu who spoke through the general manager, Usen Umoh also decried harassments by the suspected illegal agents and lack of electricity.
She said the two major factors have badly impacted private businesses and factories, so that a good number of investors are scared while others are relocating to other states
Esu spoke when she hosted members of the NUJ Correspondents Chapel new exco in the state led by Mrs Emem Offiong who called on her.
“Apart from multiple taxes, the high cost of running generators with diesel or even fuel is seriously threatening our businesses. How many can survive this way. Very high and multiple taxes are killing businesses.”
Obu said the options of shutting down their operations due to these factors continue to stare them in the face daily yet the fear and danger of throawing workers into the streets does not allow them to contemplate closing down.
Esu Olumba said they are running their confectionery and agribusinesses at a loss.
She appealed to the state government to discourage illegal tax agents and also empower the state Anti-Tax Agency to work harder.
Chairman of the Anti-Tax Agency, Bishop Emmah Isong has assured the public that they are going too expose politicians who are behind extortions and multiple taxation.
Eme Offiong commended the group for being the second highest employer of labour in the state.
