23.04.2013
ARUSHA
FROM TANZANIASASA REPORTER
MORE than 300 shop traders
in Arusha city trading along the local minibus stand have
refused to pay a new rent tax imposed by the council , claiming that
the the recent new agreement is not legally valid and the
tax is too high to afford.
Through their union meeting which
was held yesterday the traders said the municipal tax raised from Shs
60,000Tsh to TShs 275,000 without their views or negotiation
was is illegal and it is against the spirit good governance policy in the
country
The General Secretary of the
traders and shop owners association Melance Kisoka said both the new tax and
the agreement are illegal and show a secret motive of the council to steal
their shops which they built at their own costs.
“How can this be possible to
inflate tax beyond deadly proportion, is it really our government doing all
these to us ,they want our children to starve and fail to go to school, this is
our means for survival we will fight until justice is done “Said
Kisoka
He said his association members
have never refused to pay council taxes but
participation and negotiation are the key matters to dictate how much
should be paid regarding on their business environment.
He said the council distributed
new rent agreement to the traders forcing them to sign the new agreement before
Wednesday this week something that has terribly shocked the traders.
Kisoka said that the new contract has not laid down some
important facts one being the clear indication of the premises ownership and
also its period is too shot leading to failure of business
plans and don’t comply with financial and loaning institutions the
country.
Another trader interviewed by this paper Abraham
Chipaka said that the move is dirty tricks of the municipality of the city
to grab their shops which they tokk loans from banks
and build more than 15 years ago.
"This is a sign of rejection to majority poor
for the interest of the few rich and in power, we will use every means possible
to retain our properties and our constitutional right to be heard and given our
right as bonafide citizens of this country “He said
On her part Betty Manjira lamented on the municipal
move to impose new and high taxes saying there is no any services at the
center including toilet service, water and other important services
“In other countries of the World people enjoy
paying taxes because they see what their money has done in terms of development
projects and improved services but here in our Municipal is totally
different ,they collect and probably all disappear we have to change this
culture by addressing issues like these “She said
Tito Isaac Zumba contributing to matter said
they were given permission by the town council 1994 in an agreement which
has not shown that the premises erected belongs to the authority
their fore in his vew they are entitled to pay for land rent.
Dominick Mollel said it was a big
surprise to see the municipality seeks to take away a their stores
instead of helping them to develop their businesses to fasten development
in the sector in creation of self employment for the better of the
country and its people.
“I wonder why they want to steal in the day light
,surprisingly some other traders of Krokon area have been given shops which
constructed by the council free ,there is a political move here, we will
stand to deny to the fullest “Said Mollel
Commenting on the matter Levolosi ward Councilor
Ephata Nanyaro supported entrepreneurs urging them to claim their
rights anywhere without fear
He further said the full council meetings have
never passed any bill to increase or impose new taxes to Stand Ndogo traders
Asked about the issue Acting Director of Arusha
Council Lamsy Afwilile maintained that his council acted under lawful directives
and promised to convene a press conference to elaborate the matter in full
details.
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