We pay our taxes regularly -Emmanuel

In this interview, COMRADE UDECHUKWU EMMANUEL, Secretary of GSM Village Traders’ Association, informed DigitalSENSE News, that the major challenge dividing traders and customers at the GSM Village is the menace of Area Boys (Touts) at the Bus Stop, who force commuters to pay unnecessary tolls, lack of standard bus stop facilities and advertising. Insisting that GSM Village Traders’ pay their taxes regularly and promptly, too.

What are the major challenges of GSM Village Traders?

One of the major challenges is the presence of Area Boys (Touts) at our Bus Stop, preventing customers from stopping in front of the Village. We have lost Several Customers in the process, because after crossing the bridge, they will prefer to go to the other market, Computer Village. Also, Compared to the Bus Stop at Ikeja Along, our facilities are not up to date. We call on the Government to support us to do this. And lastly, another of our challenge is advertising.

Concerning the bus stop, have you lodge any formal complaint or make any request to the appropriate authority?

Yes, we have done that at the Local Government Council.

And what was the response like?

Negative

Have you done any follow ups after that?

No

Why?

…Because the response from the government’s end was not really encouraging and since we know this will involve money (to put up a befitting Bus Stop facility) we have decided to rest the issue for now.

Another challenge you mentioned was advertising, would you like to partner with DIGITAL SENSE NEWS in this regard?

Yes, of course, if it will help our business, we will always do that.

In order for the government to effectively perform its corporate social responsibility it needs funds from multiple sources, including taxes. Would you say that GSM Village Traders’ are Tax compliant?

Normally, we pay our taxes at the end of every year, and we have always paid them promptly, since three... four years ago.

Have you had any problem with government before concerning Tax remittance?

We had problem with the government on that earlier on but we have since sorted that out.

So far, are you over or fairly taxed?

I will say our tax is normal. That’s all I can say for now.

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