WEAH DECRIES HARDSHIP

The political leader of the newly formed Coalition for Democratic Change Senator George Mannah Weah has decried hardship being faced by Liberians, especially, massive unemployment.

Weah said unemployment has reached an uncontrollable stage, so for the government to be persistently increase taxes was unacceptable.

The Montserrado County Senator said high cost of living that has engulfed the general population is as a result of continuous increment of taxes imposed by government through the Liberia Revenue Authority.

Speaking to reporters recently in the corridor of the Capitol Building, the presidential hopeful observed that seems to be insensitive about high poverty rate in the country, but increasing taxes, which does not necessarily affect the few that can afford, but ordinary Liberians.

Both House Speaker James Emmanuel Nuquay and Senate President Pro-Tempore Armah Jallah have received petitions from protesting marketers here about the increased taxes.

The matter was later brought on the floor of the senate’s chambers.

According Senator Weah, one strategy government could adapt to make people not to feel impact of the taxes, is tax return. He noted if research is right, Liberia is the only country in the world that does not provide tax return.

He stressed that embarking on tax return would not only encourage citizens pay their taxes in time, but boost the economy.

He said it is difficult for someone to invest his or her money monthly or yearly and there is nothing to show for the financial engagement with national government.

Weah stressed that such can discourage anyone, saying “This is challenging for our people to be paying their taxes on a monthly or yearly basis and the government is not even thinking about tax return. This is unacceptable and it shows lack of love for taxpayers. I think our government should now start the process of tax return.” 

His comments followed three days of protest by marketers here, shut down commercial activities in Monrovia, protesting sky-rocketing exchange rate and increased taxes.

Written by E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor – Editing by Jonathan Browne