Akwa Ibom Traders Groan Over Excessive Levy

Traders in Akwa Ibom major markets are facing a tough time following the introduction of multiple ticketing by the local government and traders’ unions.

This is in abeyance to the state government’s directive on tax holiday for all categories of taxpayers including traders in the state as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 to cushion the adverse effect of the pandemic on people and businesses.

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‘‘The decision is in line with the World Bank requirements for giving out grants and reward to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic in the country’’, Akwa Ibom government said.

Speaking to newsmen at the popular Akpan Andem Market in Uyo metropolis on Wednesday, Mrs Ekong Okon explained that despite the state government’s effort at ameliorating hardship occasioned by excessive or multiple levies on traders in the state, some agents allegedly set up by market unions are still collecting revenue.

According to her, ‘‘Here in Akpan Andem Market, every shop is made to pay N500 for electricity, N700 for Uyo Local Government, N500 for security and N1000 as development levy among others’’.

Despite the collection of these levies for the aforementioned items, traders still experienced dilapidated shops, blackout and absence of development against levies collected by the revenue agents.

Also, at Itam Market, traders lamented the influence of splinter market unions, saying that the multiplicity of these unions contributed immensely to the high cost of food items such as garri, water-leaf, meat, rice, beans, yam, pumpkin periwinkle, among others.

Traders in other markets also visited such as Afaha Market, Ikot Ambang Market, Urua Tor, Use Market, Etuk Street Market and Ikpe Market etc., complained of excessive levy and called on the state government to intervene for them to feel the impact of the tax relief is granted.