Tax: Gov Ayade Suspends CITRA For Flouting Directive

Cross Rivers State Governor, Ben Ayade has suspended Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency, CITRA for selling tickets to commercial tricycle and bus drivers despite his directive.

Ayade who exempted low income earners from paying tax in the state was appalled to discover CITRA was conducting illegal activities after the transport agency was caught engaging in ticket sales to bus, tricycle operators in the state.

CITRA has been suspended for their outright disobedience and disregard for Ayade’s directive and also for violating the Tax Exemption law.

The suspension was conveyed in a statement by Christian Ita, Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to Gov Ayade.

“It has been observed that despite the governor, Prof. Ben Ayade’s directives, as well as the provisions of the Cross River State Tax Exemption Law, agents of the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA), were still engaged in the sale of tickets to bus, taxi, okada and tricycle operators in the state.

“Consequently, His Excellency has ordered the immediate suspension of the activities of the agency in the state.

Also, “He has directed security agents to arrest anybody found selling tickets or collecting any form of tax from those exempted from paying tax in the state.

“His Excellency will henceforth, not tolerate the flagrant disregard of the tax exemption law which has been in place for over three years now.

“On no account will any criminal and mischievous attempt to undermine and short circuit the noble effort of the governor, be allowed,” he said.