Edo Govt Refutes Rumours of Taxation of Private Schools

By Hendrix Oliomogbe

Edo State Government has refuted rumour currently making the rounds of the introduction of a new tax system for private schools in the state.

A statement in Benin by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Paul Ohonbamu explained that “the falsehood is part of the malicious machinations and diabolical concoctions of the state’s enemies.”

Ohonbamu said that tax is a product of law, noting that there is no such law on private schools that the Edo State House of Assembly has passed or an executive bill before the House of Assembly for that purpose.

According to what he insisted as a fake report, all private schools are supposed to pay between N30,000 and N35,000 each for each student as tax assessment.

The commissioner insisted that there is no such tax system for private schools, adding that the rumour is part of the ploy to diminish or undermine the lofty achievements of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The statement added: “The Government of APC in Edo State will not tax poverty but, will see it as a duty not to create a permanent underclass in the state.

“That is the business of any responsible government as enjoined by Paulo Frere in pedagogy of the oppressed.

“Even the tax bill that is currently being discussed at the National Assembly is to ensure that low income earners don’t pay personal income tax. Governor Monday Okpebholo is humane and will not tax poverty or increase the burden of the poor.”