Ayade suspends transport agency, orders for arrest of illegal tax collectors

The Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has ordered the arrest of illegal tax collectors in the state.

He gave the order on Sunday while announcing the suspension of the activities of the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency for flouting the law banning the collection of levies from taxi operators.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the governor, Christian Ita, said, “It has been observed that in spite of Ayade’s directives as well as the provisions of the Cross River State Tax Exemption Law, agents of the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency were still engaged in the sale of tickets to bus, taxi, okada and tricycle operators in the state.

“Consequently, His Excellency has ordered the immediate suspension of the activities of the agency in the state.”

The governor also directed security agents to arrest anybody found selling tickets or collecting any form of tax from those exempted from paying tax in the state.

“His Excellency will henceforth, not tolerate the flagrant disregard of the tax exemption law which has been in place for over three years now.

On no account will any criminal and mischievous attempt to undermine and short circuit the noble effort of the governor, be allowed,” it added.