The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akan Okon has dispelled reports in a section of the media that the administration of Mr. Udom Emmanuel will tax alcohol and cigarette consumption in the state, describing the story as the handiwork of mischief makers.
Speaking to reporters in Uyo, Mr. Akan Okon explained that Akwa Ibom State under the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel, is committed to the Tax regime approved by the Federal Government, stressing that this system covers Company tax, Property tax and Entertainment tax.
“The Federal Government has comprehensively reviewed the taxes collected by all the states and sometime in June last year, it was gazetted that taxes to be collected by states are the company tax, property tax and entertainment tax.”
He explained, “I remember in a recent interview where I was asked if ‘Entertainment tax’ means that people in the movie industry will be taxed and I said that the Entertainment tax, under this circumstance, would be for people involved in leisure activities, people in the hospitality industry and the rest of them”.
Mr Okon maintained that at no time did he mention that alcoholic and cigarette consumption will attract taxation.
The commissioner, who himself is a Finance expert, emphasized that, although Akwa Ibom State needs money in the face of the economic realities in the country, it will only do so in strict compliance with the Federal Government approved tax regime.
The commissioner said inspite of the fears over the low income accrued to the state in recent times, the State government has no intention of halting the free health care and free education programmes inherited from the previous administration.
“Government is a continuum and the Government of His Excellency Mr Udom Emmanuel will continue to implement those good programmes that have direct impacts on the lives of our people.”
0 comments :
Post a Comment