By Onyekachi Eze
The member representing Ehime Mbano State constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly and the Deputy Majority of the house, Hon. Barr. Emeka Nduka has risen for the defence of the economically challenged persons in the State.
Also to benefit are the physically challenged persons and other vulnerable groups.
This was revealed yesterday while debating on the floor of the House.
The motion was tagged, “Motion to urge the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma for an official exemption of economically disadvantaged, physically challenged and vulnerable persons in Imo State from paying taxes”.
He disclosed that the motion would create confidence and engender social injustice and political disconnect.
“Observing that the plight and present predicament of these category of economically disadvantaged, physically challenged and vulnerable groups, particularly in the light of the prevailing socio-economic realities calls for a concerted and deliberate efforts at all levels towards alleviating the attendant hardships and degrading treatment meted out to these group, as well as serving as a wake-up call for the present government in power”
Hon Nduka also stated that the motion is aimed at touching lives of the poorest citizens.
The Deputy Majority leader explained that not only that the poor persons are subjected to untold hardship by the manner and heavy taxation levied on them, but at times are manhandled in the process.
Using peasant farmers and petty traders in the rural areas as case study, the vibrant legislator submitted that those to be exempted have to be diligently categorized, since not all physically challenged are poor.
While also condemning the activities of men parading as government IGR agents, he said majority of them are fraudulent in their dealings.
However, Hon Nduka reechoed that as lawmakers, the burden lies on them to be making cogent laws that would benefit the masses, rather than being sectional.
The Barrister turned legislator prayed that the governor direct all government Institutions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies to exempt the aforementioned groups from paying taxes henceforth.
Furthermore, Nduka prayed that government identify and categorize the vulnerable groups of persons for ease of reference, assessment and placements.
In a related development, he made case that any agency, ministry or departments that go contrary be prosecuted.
Meanwhile, having experienced a robust debate, the Speaker, Chiji Collins referred the motion to the Committees on IGR and Finance for further scrutiny.
