Traders protest higher taxes in Kuje

Mohammed-Bello-FCT-MINISTER Traders Association in Kuje Area Council, FCT on Friday took to the streets to protest the increase in taxation by the authorities.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored the protest in Kuje reports that shops along major streets in the council were shut.

Mr Uche Nwokedi, the acting chairman of the association said members of the association had taken to the streets to protest increment in taxation from N3,000 to N36,000.

Nwokedi said the protest was also to express the association’s displeasure over the use of force and touts by the consultant engaged by the Area Council to collect the taxes.

According to him, some members of the association were on Thursday taken to court by the consultant for failure to pay what the traders called ‘ outrageous tax’.

He said the use of the court to introduce higher taxes instead of dialogue was not in the best interest of the traders and the council.

“Most of us, including those taken to court paid our taxes since January and we have our receipts with us.

“The consultant has not engaged us before coming up with this outrageous taxes and we will resist it,” he said.

Alhaji Abdullahi Galadima, Chairman, Kuje Area Council addressing the protesters said the council was not aware that some members of the association were taken to court by the consultant.

He expressed dismay over the action adding that the consultant has not been legally engaged to collect taxes on behalf of the council.

“The consultant approached us when we advertised and we only had an oral agreement with him to go out and see how he could convince and dialogue with the people to collect the taxes.

“Our agreement with him is on temporary basis. He has not been fully engaged by the council because no document has been given to him.

“This administration is committed to the protection of the right of all residents. So, issues like this, engagements and town hall meeting are what is needed,” he said.

The council chairman who ordered the withdrawal of the cases in court urged the traders to be calm and go about their normal businesses.

He said the consultant has been cautioned against the use of force and touts to collect revenue.

Comments

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Court grants Fani-Kayode N50m bail

Fani-kayode sandwiched by EFCC officials Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday granted a N50m bail to former spokesman of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. Fani-Kayode was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a five-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N26m. Fani-Kayode is the sole defendant in the fresh charges numbered, FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2016. The EFCC accused the defendant of diverting 26 million Naira allegedly received from the ONSA while Sambo Dasuki was in office. The anti-graft agency also accused him of handling the said N26 million without going through financial institution as required under the Money Laundering Act. The embattled former minister is already facing 17-count charge of money laundering before the Lagos Division of the court, along with a former Finance Minister; Nenadi Usman, Danjuma Yusuf and a firm; Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited. They were charg...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog