As part of efforts geared towards making Ondo State a business friendly environment and investment haven and hitherto increasing its revenue drive. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has called on business owners in the state to always priortise payment of taxes and approved levies as at when due.
Speaking during a sensitisation tour on business premises in Akure, the state capital. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Dupe Eshofonie, said there is need to continuously sensitise business owners on the need to support societal development through payment of taxies, stressing that prompt payment of taxes will enable the government provide needed social and infrastructural amenities for the people.
Eshofonie, who led officials of the ministry on the sensitisation and awareness tour, appealed to the people to cooperate with the Ministry’s officials whenever they visit them for collection of taxes, assured the traders that the government will not impose heavy tax on their businesses.
She therefore, urged those that occupied stores at the neighbourhood markets to pay their levy up to date. She also noted that government will not tolerate act of non-payment of rents.
The Permanent Secretary also stated that money collected will be used to maintain the markets and provide security at night when traders are at their various homes.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, the chairman of plastic sellers association at Isikan market, Mr Olutoye Ajetunmobi, said they are ready to cooperate with the government by ensuring their members pay as soon as possible.
He however, pleaded with the government to give them little time to put resources together and pay their rents up to date.
In the same vein, Mrs Comfort Salako, appealed to the government to reduce the cost of renting the market stores, saying they are enjoying the facilities in the market.
The sensitisation and awareness tour will move to other Senantorial Districts of the state.
