The Chairman of Ika South Local Government of Delta State, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, has suspended forthwith, implementation of the new levy regime for Point of Sales (PoS) operations in the area.
He said that the unilateral introduction of the new steep levy regime by the committee on the subject was inchoate with the intent of his administration.
Ehiwarior made known his position on the subject, which had elicited stiff opposition by stakeholders in the area, in a statement he personally issued in Agbor, seat of the local government.
In the statement titled ” Complaints Against Levies by Point of Sales Operators,” Ehiwarior, inter alia, said, “My attention has been drawn to public complaints emanating from levies issued by one of the committees the Ika South Local Government established few weeks ago, being the Point of Sales ( PoS) committee.
I wish to express my concern and disapproval at members of committees issuing statements using letter heads of Ika South Local Government, as they are not council staff.
It is against this backdrop that I am forced to respond swiftly.”
The Chairman added,” First, I state without equivocation, that Ika South Local Government is free to charge levies as spelt out in Revenue By-laws of 2021.”
But he said that there must be an enabling environment, consequent upon potent stakeholders’ coherence, for an agreement on the applicable rates of taxes and levies.
Ehiwarior opined that that noble path of consultation and agreement by all stakeholders appeared not to have been heeded by the committee.
His words, ” however, to fix levies, stakeholders must engage and agree. It has been brought to my notice that this important path was not taken by the committee members.
Business owners must pay taxes and levies, but the rates must be fair.”
According to him, “I was not elected to increase the pains of residents. One of my core duties is to provide succour and create a favourable environment for businesses to thrive, and this I will do.
“Ika South Local Government, under my watch, will be very responsive. I will ensure that robust consultations between the committee and POS operators are held to resolve this issue.”
He stressed,” as a show of commitment to residents of Ika South Local Government Area, I have also directed suspension of the collection of levies from operators of POS for now, until these matters are resolved. I expect calm and restraint from all parties.”
