Marian market traders unnerved by activities of Calabar council revenue agents
Tension is brewing between traders and Calabar Municipal Council revenue agents in Cross River over collection of market tolls in the popular Marian Market also known as Ika-Ika Oqua Market.
The Traders Union represented by Pastor Asuquo Etim while fielding questions from newsmen on Monday, October 23rd in Calabar said Governor Bassey Otu had issued a circular signed by Mrs. Eke E. Ani, Head of Local Government Administration, exempting traders form paying market tolls of any kind from October 11 to November 11 2023 as palliative measure to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
But this welcomed relieve according to him was truncated by another letter from the same authority insinuating that the suspension order placed on the revenue collections in Calabar Municipality does not affect organisations or revenue agents who do not have matters within the realm or revenue collections pending before the Courts as against the Council, hence the letter supersedes the earlier press release referenced as it affects the company owned by Mr. Emmanuel Mbora dated October 10th 2023 and sighted by newsmen during interaction with Mr. Bassey Archibong Nya, Vice Chairman of Ika-Ika Oqua Market Management Committee.
Nya explained that the N50 daily market toll, 300 monthly market toll and 500 monthly rent falls within the stipulated fees charged by the council excluding light and security charges which has been a bone of contention for over three years since the market has been without electricity and adequate security.
And reacting to the development which has been on the front burner of local news media, like the popular private radio station Hit 95.9FM hosting guests from different camps on life broadcasts, he said that since the matter is already in court, he will not comment.
His Highness, Nkuku Effiong Solomon, Grand Patron of the market Traders Union said though there is tendency of multiple taxation from the way things are going, rather advised the ad-hoc market management committee to compel street traders outside the market precincts to go-inside the market and obtain stalls for their wares rather than obstructing traffic of people coming to the market to shop. Alternatively, he advised them to relocate to the new market location beside the Council premises built by the immediate past Local Government Council officials Hon. Ndabo and Efefiom Nta Eke to decongest the market.
Efforts by newsmen to get comments from Chief Felix Idem, Cross River State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs and Hon. Stanley Boyce Nsemo, member representing Calabar Municipal State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly proved abortive as at time of filing this report.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
