Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Cross River State have introduced payment of levies through Point of Sale (POS) terminals in marketplaces to check multiple taxation and thefts by local tax collectors.
The programme, which is a joint effort between the State government and the Growth Employment in States, also known as GEMS3, is aimed at boosting revenue-generation.
GEMS3 programme is a partnership between the Federal Government and the UK Department for International Development, designed to ease business transactions in Nigeria.
The government said that the pilot scheme is underway in some major cities including Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom, Obubra and Yala and several other LGAs.
Donatus Etim, Chairman of Calabar Municipal LGA said payment of levies through PoS would eliminate the problem of multiple taxation.
Etim said the campaign aims to create awareness on the existence new bye-law and the harmonized levies to be paid through the PoS channels.
“This is to avoid traders and market women from falling prey to the antics of touts and erring council revenue officials who come to the markets to collect multiple levies from shop owners and market women”, Etim said.
Geraldine Oku, who is the Programme Coordinator of GEMS3 in Cross River State, said that the agency is working with the state government and the nine LGAs to eliminate multiple taxes and ensure a well-organized business environment for all citizens, especially women and the poor.
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