The Oyo State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to expedite action on the passage of the Tax Harmonisation Law to address multiple taxation and alleged illegal revenue collections across the state.
Alli said the continued delay in domesticating the law had exposed farmers, traders, transporters and business owners to arbitrary levies and harassment by individuals allegedly operating as revenue agents for the state government.
The APC governorship candidate made the call in a press release issued on Sunday and signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO), Bisi Oladele.
He expressed concern over reported cases of illegal levies imposed on farm produce and other commodities transported across Oyo State, particularly along routes linking Oyo North to Ibadan.
According to him, farmers moving their produce to markets and business owners transporting goods to other parts of the state are allegedly subjected to multiple payments at different roadblocks mounted by non-state actors.
Alli argued that such practices increase the cost of basic commodities and reduce the profit margins of farmers and small-scale business owners already struggling with prevailing economic challenges.
He maintained that residents of the state deserved protection from multiple taxation and what he described as crude methods of collecting road taxes.
The APC candidate explained that the Tax Harmonisation Law was designed to streamline tax administration across state and local government areas, eliminate arbitrary and unauthorised collections, and check the activities of illegal tax collectors.
He regretted what he described as the Makinde administration’s lack of commitment to the domestication of the legislation, arguing that the delay had allowed multiple taxation and unauthorised revenue collection to persist.
Alli also claimed that several states had already passed the law, while others were making efforts to complete the legislative process.
He consequently urged Governor Makinde to demonstrate the political will to ensure the passage of the legislation before the end of his administration.
The APC governorship candidate, however, assured residents that if elected governor, he would ensure the passage of the Tax Harmonisation Law within his first 100 days in office.
He said his proposed tax framework would protect farmers, transporters, traders and business owners, while creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and contribute to economic growth.
Alli reiterated that Oyo State needed a tax system that would encourage enterprise and prosperity rather than impose additional burdens on residents and business operators.
