Double taxation by the Local Government Areas and the Rivers State Government has been identified as bane to the economic growth of Small and Medium Enterprises, SME in Rivers State.
In a chat with journalists in Port Harcourt, Prince Dr. Jude Chimaraoke Alison, National President, Association of Store Owners of Port Harcourt, ASOP, Rivers State, said that the ugly trend of Double taxation, which has led to the untimely closure of businesses and unfulfilled business ideas by business men and women in the state, led to their emergence.
Alison disclosed that the Double taxation on paying N7,000 per revenue, Occupy, Operation Permit, Income Permit, Business Premises Revenue BPR, and Sanitation, among others as being charged by the state and LGAs, were some of the anomalies that they have come to harmonization between the store owners and the two arms of government in the state.
ASOP boss, however, lauded all those LGA chairmen in the state for their understanding of the plights of Shop Owners, especially the small shop owners who do not make a profit of about 50,000 in a year and yet pay over 70,000 on taxation and urged others to fellow suit, for a better working relationship with them.
On their relationship with Pillars of Association, Prince Alison commended the administration of Late Comrade Ibiye Dick Harry, former chairman of Pillars of Association and pointed out that Pillars derailed from its objectives after the demise of Dick Harry and the reason for which they walked out of the Association, even as serving officers was to strengthen the bottle necks that they experienced lately in the Pillars of Association and their resolve to use the platform of ASOP to better the lots of members and none members alike.
Responding on ASOP dream, Alison opined to see an ASOP that will be well recognized and supported by the state government, have grants from banks at low interest rates and one that will continue to put a smile on the faces of members, which has already started, according to him.
Alison urged those that have shown commitment to their struggle in the emancipation and mediating for the oppressed Shop Owners in the state, to know that God will reward them bountifully.
By Blaise Elumezie
