By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Members of Heavy Duty and Haulage Transport Association in Nigeria (HDHTAN), Cross River chapter, have called on the state government to rise against multiple taxation suffered by her members.
State Chairman of the association, Mr. Blessed Asuquo, made the position of the members known during an exclusive interview with our reporter in Calabar, recently.
He maintained that the concern if not tackled, could affect their operations within the state which includes intelligence sharing, trucks monitoring, prevention of illicit activities and checking diversion of goods intended for the state.
On the roles of the association, Asuquo said, “we are committed to promoting the welfare of CrossRiverians, ensuring the safety and security of Heavy Duty vehicles especially on highways while supporting the economic development of the State.”
According to him, the group also help in the prevention of goods diversion, monitoring of the use of trucks for illegal activities, reporting crimes including kidnapping, human trafficking and economic sabotage.
The Chairman commended the Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, for efforts aimed at improving the lives of the citizenry through the People First Mantra of the present administration, as well as creating an enabling environment for business to thrive.
Appealing to local government areas and the state Internal Revenue Service to support the association achieve its mandates, Asuquo enjoined authorities concerned to check activities of miscreants impersonating as HDHTAN members who extort and engage in illegal taxation around Etim Edem park and other outlets within the state.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that our roads are safe and secured for users while seeing to the reduction of cost of food items as deliberate efforts to alleviate the suffering of the masses.
“We will continue to promote the welfare of CrossRiverians and ensure that the transport sector and haulage activities within the state are adequately checked in line with the policies of the present administration which Governor Otu has clearly demonstrated through his love and concern for the people without bias and sentiment,” Asuquo assured.
The Group which is already collaborating with security agencies, 18 local government areas in the state as well as other relevant authorities to achieve feats, promises to ensure that issues surrounding economic sabotage would be put in check.
