Edo set to abolish double taxation – Shaibu

TheDeputy Governor of Edo State, Rt Hon. Philip Shaibu, has said that the  high level of poverty and the issue of multiple taxation in the state will soon be history.
He gave the assurance  in Benin, the state capital at an interactive meeting with heads of revenue collecting agencies and groups operating in the state.
According to him, “the Governor Obaseki’s administration is already working things out to ensure the fulfillment of his electioneering promises among which is to create 200, 000 jobs that would take the youth out of the streets.” According to him, “government is also looking seriously into the issue of multiple taxation occasioned by the duplication of functions by the revenue collection agencies and groups in the state”.
The various revenue agents, most of whom operate in the transport sector, according to the Deputy Governor, were invited for interactions as directed by the Governor to enable government properly understand the workings of  their group and scope of operation to enable  it formulate  policy that would guide revenue generation and collection, thereby boosting the revenue and eliminate multiple taxation.
Shaibu who affirmed government’s resolve to put Edo in the map of states that export goods in the country, said such interactions with revenue collection agents and youths became necessary so  as to identify their potentials as the present government is determined to engage them meaningfully in line with its policy on job creation.
“We have the mandate of the Governor to interact with you because government wants to know where and how you operate within the scope of your work. We  rely on information from you. So, please feel free to  furnish us with accurate  information about your beat because it will help government in  bringing sanity to revenue generation and collection in the state”, Hon Shaibu explained.
The groups invited on  day one included Akugbe Ventures led by Comrade Tony Kabaka Adun; Drivers Rebirth led by Enaruna Ibude; Agbor Sam Ventures led by Mr. Samson Sedo; Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), led by Comrade Osakpamwan Eriyo.
Others were Professional Drivers on Wheel led by Adams Ehi, Roys Ventures led by Osarobo Idahosa and the National Union of Road Transport Workers led by Chief Odion Olaye.
Speaking with Journalists on the outcome of the meeting, some leaders of the group including Chief Odion Olaye, Samson Sedo and Osakpamwan Eriyo said they were invited by the state government for interaction,  with a view to tackling multiple taxation and other issues involved in revenue matters in the state.
They thanked the new government for the  session, describing it as fruitful, promising to cooperate with government in its efforts to boost internally generated  revenue and  promote peace and security, especially in the transport sector.
Top government officials present  at the meeting were the Secretary to the State Government,  Barr Osarodion Ogie  the Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kingsley Ehigiamusor.