Umar Bago, Governor of Niger state has exempted hawkers and petty traders from paying taxes.
Gatekeepers News reports that Bago announced the exemption while addressing journalists at the government house in Minna.
Bologi Ibrahim, the Governor’s chief press secretary disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The Governor asked local government council chairmen and councillors to stop unfairly taxing petty traders with immediate effect.
He said the state’s centralised tax system already excludes hawkers and petty traders from paying taxes.
Bago said, “We have observed with dismay how petty traders and hawkers are being exploited with multiple taxes.”
“As a government, we have resolved that henceforth, no trader, no petty trader, should be taxed.”
“Hawkers and petty traders are tax-free in Niger.”
The Governor noted that anybody found taxing the hawkers and petty traders would be dealt with decisively for extortion.
