Imposing levies on petroleum products unconscionable - Gov Ayade
Port Harcourt -- Cross River State Governor, Sen Ben Ayade, says it was unconscionable to impose levies on petroleum products, which are ultimately passed on to consumers at a time Nigerians are already going through a lot of hardship.
To this end, the governor has warned his appointees against the imposition of illegal levies on tank farm operators in Calabar, the state capital.
Governor Ayade, in a statement by his Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mr Linus Obogo, warned that any of his appointees who flout his directive against imposing illegal levies on petroleum products' tank farms will be dealt with.
The governor, according to the statement, also warned all his appointees to steer clear of the vicinity of tank farms in the state.
The statment reads in part, "The State Governor, His Excellency, Professor Ben Ayade has frowned at the imposition of illegal levies on tank farm operators by some of his appointees.
"His Excellency has, therefore, directed that henceforth, no appointee of government should be seen within the vicinity of the tank farm and the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) under any guise.
"He has also futher directed such appointees to immediately cease imposition of any kind of levy on the operators of the farm.
"The governor says it is unconscionable to impose levies on petroleum products, which are ultimately passed on to consumers at a time Nigerians are already going through a lot of hardship.
"His Excellency therefore, warns that severe sanctions awaits any appointee found flouting this directive.”