My call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu will not eliminate insecurity completely:...it is in the interest of the South East.....Soludo
By Paulinus Onah
Professor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has said that insecurity remains his greatest challenge, since assumption of office ten months ago.
He recalled how seven local government area were under seige prior to his assumption of office, mostly in Anambra South Senatorial Zone.
Governor Soludo said this during his quarterly interactive session with ndị Anambra on ABS /TV program today, Monday, February 13, 2023.
The program affords the people opportunity to call in and ask the Governor questions about the performance of his administration.
"The state and Federal Government has been working and so far, there has been improvement. We have over 1,000 Anambra Vigilante personnel. There is a significant difference in security between when I took over office and now.
"We are determined that the state will be completely secure. Over 5000 youths have been empowered, and 5000 teachers have been hired.
"On the issue of Nnamdi Kanu, his release does not mean that insecurity will be completely eliminated. The call is in the best interest of the South East as a whole. He was saddened by the level of crime associated with the agitation when I visited him in prison. He called it an abomination.
"Everyone has now become freedom fighters, using it as an avenue to commit crime. The truth is that if he is released, he will be able to distinguish between genuine freedom fighters and criminals.
"What is still holding him back is a political issue!" I am awaiting confirmation of appointment with the President to hand him the letter officially.
Concerning the government policies and tax exemptions for vulcanizers, traders, and hawkers, the Governor responded that anything involving money always make some people nervous.
Continuing, the Governor said: "developed countries pay taxes!" People in the United Kingdom pay road tax, waste tax, tenant rate, and so on. This was how the government used to function. Nigeria used taxes to build the country many years ago.
He emphasized that there's no great country where people don't pay taxes. People pay between 20% to 30% of their income as tax but in our Country, oil money came and we forgot taxes are used to develop the state. Our people want everything free- electricity, infrastructure, water, etc.
"Oil money is running out. Take a look at Lagos; they used taxation to get to where they are now. They made N65 billion last year and plan to make N100 billion this year. We made a paltry N20 billion in Anambra last year. In our income, the percentage income is 0.2%, not up to 1%, implying that 99.8% is in the hands of private individuals.
"The road we are constructing in Amansea, Awka North alone costs more than what we made last year, and all communities require road infrastructure. If everyone pays just 5% of their income, we'll be close to earning N300 billion annually.
"We stated that we would have a tax system. Keke, minibus, and okada drivers must pay their fair share, but it is unfair for the poor to pay more than the rich, which is why we called a meeting with Keke riders, who proposed paying N10,000 per month but prefer to pay weekly with insurance attached.
"But the rich man who drives a jeep or owns a large shop pays N 12,000; where is the justice in that? Ndi Anambra who live in other states or abroad should have a way of contributing their taxes.
"If you pay N100,000 in Lagos, you should pay N50,000 in Anambra. Our people who live in Lagos and other states want good roads, but how much tax do they pay? Ndi Anambra are expected to pay their taxes both those living at home and abroad because we want a very fair and progressive tax system.
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