By Udo Akam-Alo, ABAKALIKI
Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, has said that the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic is not an excuse for the people not to pay tax.
He however, hastened to add that a window is being created for those who cannot pay tax now to renegotiate payment till a later date.
“We are going to provide another form of tax to live where all taxes that are due for payment could be renegotiated so that later days, it could be paid; but not that any tax that is being owed even during this COVID-19 or pandemic will not be paid but it can be renegotiated in the office of the deputy Governor.
“About nine months back, we had already decided that there will be no tax for hawkers, even those who are carrying vegetables or tomatoes in a very small dimension. We were the first to do that. We’ve already said so and it is a task for us to revive the economy and also to appreciate their daily efforts in choosing to do something with their hands instead of engaging in criminality.
“Those who want us not to collect tax are making mistakes because as far there is life and blood gush, we must generate sweat and our sweat will lead us to paying tax so that we can provide services for our people. So, you have every right to query what your tax is doing for the state,” Umahi said.
Similarly, he stressed the need to pay the pensioners, stating that their sacrifices could not be over emphasized.
He further stated his awareness of other unpaid gratuities, noting that over 60% payment has been made and 100% paid to the state house of Assembly and urged those who have not been paid not to get upset as their payment will be taken care of.
According to the Governor: “The pensioners ought to be paid first, even before we started the internal lockdown, that’s how it supposed to be because this people sacrificed their lives and time and may not have any other means of livelihood. I used to pity people when pensioners are being owed. It is the worst thing to happen. Some of them use this to buy medicals, they use it to train their children. So they should get it as at when due.
“We are aware of some gratuities not yet paid but it wasn’t under time, it has been from the creation of the state. We have paid off over 60% of that. One cannot do more than what he can do but we are miracle administration and I’m sure that as time goes on, God’s miracle will happen and we will leave the scene haven cleared all the debts pour previous administrations left for us, right from the state creation.
“So, whoever is being owed severance allowance or gratuity or pension, should know that it didn’t come from me. Just little of it came from me by last EXCO, I have paid the house 100%. But we are not talking about ourselves. Let’s take care of others first before we talk about ourselves.”
