Remi Feyisipo, IbadanThe Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called for the elimination of multiple taxes, charges and levies emanating from both state and local government agencies across the country.
The umbrella association for manufacturers also said the non availability of water, which is one of the major components of manufacturing sector, erratic power supply and multiple taxes, charges and levies, had crippled most businesses in the country.
The Oyo/Ondo/Osun and Ekiti states branch of MAN in an interactive session with officials of Bureau of Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnerships in the office of Oyo State governor headed by Folakemi Akinleye also complained of multiple levies presently being charged by some states, noting that these had become huge burden for companies.
Tayo Adelaja, a council member in company of the association’s executive secretary, Olalekan Edunjobi and other members, frowned at the land use charges introduced by Oyo State government, which increased by over 1000 percent.
According to him, a company paying like N5 million before is now paying N37 million, there are also levies like emission permit, haulage permit, mobile advert, and others.
Adelaja said that most companies now relied solely on generators as well as other sources due to epileptic power supply from PHCN.
According to him, if companies are downsizing, the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) accruing to government will also reduce, that is why we are appealing to the state government to provide enabling environment so that businesses will grow.
MAN also called on the government to improve on infrastructure around industrial clusters.
Akinleye, while assuring that government will look into the issues of water, multiple taxes and power raised by the manufacturers, said it would meet with relevant agencies to iron out the issues.
