The Igbo community in Cross River State has cried out over what it described as illegal taxation and daily harassment by non-state actors, warning that the burden was crippling businesses across the state.
The concerns were raised at an interactive session between the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, businessmen, Igbo women, student leaders, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Calabar, on Thursday, where the community also decried the poor state of roads affecting their trade.
Speakers at the meeting, however, commended Governor Bassey Otu’s administration for tackling insecurity, and thanked the state for making the Igbo community feel at home, including through appointments given to some of its members in the administration.
On taxation, the 2nd Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Agu Prince, lamented that multiple levies imposed by shadowy groups were choking businesses owned by his people.
“These people, armed with receipts, harassed us on a daily basis, and the government seems not to be doing anything about it.
“Our position remains that these people have the backing of some persons in government because of the way and manner they go about this,” he declared.
Prince also called on government to decongest markets across the state, warning that overcrowding posed a serious fire risk.
Financial Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Cross River, Mr Evan Mba, acknowledged that the Igbo community had benefited from the governor’s “Season of Sweetness” mantra, but appealed for improved road networks, particularly in the Northern Senatorial District, stressing that good roads would boost business and economic growth.
State Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Dike Ejike, decried what he called an absence of governance in the northern senatorial district, and demanded explanations over the slashing of primary school teachers’ salaries.
President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Cross River, High Chief Chukwuemeka Egwuonwu, appealed to government to look into the community’s grievances, while pledging the Igbo community’s support in building the state.
Responding, APC Chairman in Cross River, Mr Chris Etta, promised to relay the concerns to the governor, noting he was pleased no one raised security complaints.
On the present economic challenges in the country, Etta noted that it was as a result of the problems that should have been fixed a long time ago.
“It is true that things are bad and that we are suffering, but the opposition parties will never tell you how we got here.
“Nigeria had the opportunity to fix her problem but missed such an opportunity, and this government had taken the decision to address it.
“It is a matter of time that these challenges will usher in good tidings,” Etta said.