Nigerian bizmen in Cameroon decry multiple taxation
As both countries strive to re-build confidence after years of frosty relations, Nigerians in Cameroon have decried the multiple taxation they are being subjected to.
Nigerian businessmen, who have lived in Cameroon for the most parts of their lives told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Yaounde that multiple taxation came in different forms and have been posing problems to their businesses.
They also decried, what they described as exploitation, the charging of 250,000 CFA (N55,000) for resident permits and another 50,000 CFA (N12,000) for an exit visa.
Innocent Chialo, a 50-year-old businessman who deals in electronics and has lived in Cameroon for 37 years, told NAN that although Nigerians were doing well now than few years ago, the business environment was still not conducive.
He also alleged that the country’s security agents constantly raid their businesses under the pretex enforcing tax laws.
“There are so many divisions of taxes that need to be aligned as well as the problem of resident permit. I don’t think the Cameroonians living in Nigeria are made to pay such residents permits or are subjected to ill-treatment because of taxes,’’ he said.
Francis Nweke, also a businessman and the Chief Welfare Officer of the Nigerian Community in Cameroon, corroborated the story saying that the customs came to their shops regularly to impose unnecessary taxes even when the goods were in stock for more than five years.
“These are goods that you just want to dispose of that you have already paid all sorts of taxes on. I don’t know whether government sent them, but they (government), will go ahead to validate it when you report the case,’’ he said.
He said the resident permit was a major problem as the law enforcement agents would always go after Nigerians and ask for their passports.
“We are discussing with the Nigerian High Commission to assist us and they promised to do something about it,’’ he added.
Afam Chukwu, a 35-year-old taxi driver, who came to Cameroon when he was 13 years, also called on the Nigerian government to come to their aid to stop the constant harassment.
“Have you seen any country that demands visa fees when you are going back to your country? It is only in Cameroon that you see such a thing,’’ he lamented.
He said if it was because of the Bakassi feud, the case had already been decided in Cameroon’s favour and they should therefore allow good brotherliness reign between both countries.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Cameroon, Edwin Edobor, while responding, told NAN that Nigerians were living better now than before the withdrawal of the troops in August 2006.
“Yes, they say the taxes are too many. We agree and we are doing something about it. But if this country says you should pay certain taxes to live here and you are aware, and have been briefed, why must you evade the taxes.
“I will not recommend at this stage that our relationship with them should be overheated. We are the closest neighbours with the longest standing border so we must try to ensure peace reigns,’’ he said.
Edobor said Nigeria would frown seriously on anything that would cause friction between the two countries.
He said both countries were embarking on joint projects such as the Trans Border Highway, recharging of Lake Chad and building infrastructure for the Bakassi region to build confidence.