By Mfonobong Ukpong
The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Barr.)
Onofiok Luke has assured that the legislature will not relent in giving the
state government the necessary support needed to stimulate small and medium
enterprise development in the state.
Receiving in audience the state exco of Akwa Ibom Traders
Co-operative Association at the Assembly Complex on Thursday, Barr Luke who
described the decision by the traders to form a Co-operative society its
members as laudable, informed that already the bill seeking to establish Akwa
Ibom State Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency forwarded to the
House by the executive has been passed into law, and is awaiting the Governor's
accent.
He told them that the 6th assembly pays high premium to small
and medium enterprise, because according to the Speaker, they hold the key to
the growth of the economy.
"We in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly are particular
about Small and medium enterprise because that is the key to the growth of the
economy. With the formation of a co-operative society by the traders, it is
easy to access facilities from government and banks".
Speaker Luke hailed Governor Udom Emmanuel for the N2 Billion
grant given to traders in the state to support and grow their businesses,
saying such gesture deserves commendation. He equally hailed the Special
Assistant to the Governor on Trade and Market Matters, Mr. Idorenyin Raphael for his passion, and commitment for
the betterment the welfare of Akwa Ibom traders. He was particularly impressed
that Raphael has been able to use his office to attract government facilities
and other support to Akwa Ibom traders.
The Speaker who described market development as key in the
promotion of trade and commerce, pointed that such should be seen by government
as a social service, and praised the governor for the Morden market project
which is handled by HFP under a PPP model in Itiam in the state capital and the
Uruaofiong Etok market project in Eket. He said the House of Assembly will
continue to support and encourage the market development as one of the cardinal
social service delivery programmes of government.
On the complain of multiple taxation on traders raised by the
President of the traders co-operative society, Barr Luke advised him to forward
a memo on the matter to the House of Assembly, but however cautioned that while
the legislature was not in support of over burdening traders with taxation, the
House would not encourage a situation where the traders evade tax payment. He
explained that one of the main sources of government revenue where it is able
to fund social services is derived from tax payment.
"We need to balance the need not to over burden you with
taxation. I want to urge the traders to raise a formal memo to the House of
Assembly
Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, and President,
Akwa Ibom Traders Co-operative Association, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael, said
the traders were in the Assembly Complex to express solidarity to the
government of the day, and congratulated Barr. Luke on his successful
re-election to the House of Assembly and his subsequent elevation to the position
of Speaker.
Mr. Raphael who double as the Special Assistant to the Governor
on Traders Matters, used the opportunity to brief the Speaker on the various
packages he has been able to attract to traders in the state. He requested for
the government to increase budgetary allocation to the trade sector from the
current 0.8% level to an appreciable level. The traders also called for
harmonisation of taxes imposed on traders, saying the current multiple taxation
was stifling their businesses.
Lawmakers present during the courtesy call include, the Deputy
House Leader, Senator Godswill and representative of Ibiono Ibom State
Constituency, Rt Hon. Ime Okon, representative of Oron/Udunguko state
constituency in Hon. Effiong Bassey, member representing Esit-Eket/Ibeno, Hon.
Usoro Akpanusoh and Ukanafun representative, Hon. Otobong Jonathan.
Among Members of the Traders co-operative Association in
attendance at the visit were, the Vice president (1) Umoh Cyril, Vice president
(11) Obong Paul Archibong, Vice president (111),Prince Obot Emmanuel,
Secretary, Effiong Ekpenyong, and Treasurer, Mrs. Ekaette Essien among others.
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