Uyo council boss tasks residents on tax payment

…Employs 70 staff for revenue collection

From Nsisong Morgan, Akwa Ibom

In a bid to enhance rapid development in the area, the Uyo council chairman, Mr. Imoh Okon has charged the residents of Uyo Metropolis, business operators and the general public to conform to tax laws.

” It is for the benefit of all of us in Uyo Local Government Area to pay tax because that is when we will be able to register tangible development” he said.

Okon who stated this recently during the inauguration of 60 ad-hoc staff and ten compliance team to tackle revenue collection in the metropolis.

He also stressed that revenue collection is the civil responsibility of government adding that the exercise will be conducted judiciously.

“Having received the mandate of Uyo people, the owners of Uyo, and also adding to the constitutional mandate where functions are given to local government council and directives to the area where we should raise revenue in a manner that is civil, and in a manner that does not generate problems. I enjoin you to remit your tax and conform to the law for the good of all of us in Uyo local government”.

Addressing the 70-man team, Okon said, ” you are now recruited to represent us, we are not asking any of you to go and molest anybody, the day we receive any news of you maltreating anybody or extorting from anybody like a bribe we will hand you to the police and your jobs ends there”.

Speaking to Frontline News Online, he recalled that the local government investment house was built in the 90’s with local government funds as he pledged that his administration will leave a legacy in structures assisted by revenue.

He however stated that compliance will be enforced with penalties from the fourth quarter of the year for defaulters of tax laws.

Mr. Solomon Attai who heads the team expressed gratitude to the chairman for founding them worthy for the task, noting that the team under his watch will work according to laid down rules and regulations.

Attai lauded the developmental strides by Governor Udom led- administration even as he solicited for prompt support of the state and local government to discharge their work effectively.

According to him, “I want to thank governor Udom Emmanuel for the development he has brought to the state, I’m grateful to our amiable chairman who granted us this opportunity to save in his administration and we promised to do it well. But I’m pleading with the state and local government to help us with vehicles and the necessary tools needed for this job”.