The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Cross River State, Mr. Odey Ochicha, has promised to review tax laws in the state if elected in the April 11 governorship election.
Ochicha said this on Tuesday in Calabar at a one-day interactive session organised by state chapters of Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress with candidates of political parties.
The APC candidate, while responding to question on complaints of over-taxation by the state government, said there was the need for lower taxation in the state to allow foreign investment.
He said, “If we are to remain a tourism destination, then we should have a tax regime that has human face; Cross River should have a tax release. The tax system will be looked into with the view to lowering it in order to attract foreign investment. We will look into the tax system and review it to bring in more foreign investors into the State.”
Ochicha further said Cross River does not need to depend on federal allocation or over-taxation to provide for her citizens.
He observed that the state has natural endowments that could make her become one of the richest economies in Nigeria.
He blamed the persistent state of insecurity in the state on lack of good governance and the neglect of the youths.
He added that the APC-led government in the state would ensure creation of more jobs for its teeming unemployed graduates.
“Good governance and good leadership bring peace in any society. The center point of our administration will be the people and once you make the people the focus of your administration then, the problem of peace is solved,” he stated.
He assured the organised labour of adequate welfare remunerations under his administration, adding that he was also a unionist during his days in the petroleum sector.