By Abasi Ita
Distributors of sachet water in Calabar have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over what they described as excessive daily levies imposed on their operations by revenue agents in Cross River State.
The vendors, who distribute sachet water across the metropolis using tricycles and vehicles, complained that multiple ticket charges imposed on them amount to about ₦1,800 every day.
Speaking on behalf of the distributors, Mr. Desmond Okra said the development has become unbearable for operators in the sector.
He explained that the vendors are compelled to pay several levies daily, including Daily Operation Tolls, Economic Development Levy, Commerce Development Levy, Air Pollution and Climate Change Levy, Cross River Traffic Regulatory Authority Daily Operational Toll, Delivery Tricycle Fee and the Ministry of Environment 2026 Ecology Levy.
According to him, the combined charges amount to ₦1,800 daily, a situation he described as unfair and exploitative.
Okra lamented that the levy is significantly higher than the ₦500 daily ticket reportedly paid by mini bus and tricycle operators as approved by the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu.
He said the distributors are demanding a review of the charges and inclusion in the state’s ticket regulation framework.
The vendors warned that they may resort to an indefinite strike if the government fails to address their grievances.
However, the Chairman of the Association of Table Water Producers in the state, Mr. Maurice Etim Okon, said he was not aware of any planned protest or strike by the distributors.
Okon noted that members of the association who are properly registered have been exempted from such levies due to the association’s working relationship with revenue authorities.
“We have done the needful to alleviate the suffering of our members and they are exempted from the levies,” he said.
Attempts to obtain comments from officials of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
If the planned strike is carried out, it may disrupt the distribution of sachet water in Calabar metropolis and surrounding communities, creating difficulties for many residents who depend on the product for daily water supply.
It would be recalled that mini bus drivers in Calabar recently staged protests and blocked major roads in the city over allegations of multiple taxation, harassment and intimidation by government revenue agents.
Tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders, also carried out similar protests weeks later over the same grievances.
Normalcy was eventually restored following the intervention of the Cross River State Governor, Prince Bassey Otu, who ordered a review of the ticketing system and reduced the numerous levies and fines imposed on the operators.