The National Head of Administration of Market Traders Association of Nigeria MATAN, Israel Mauyon Johnson has called on the Federal Government to give greater support to the informal sector as the driver of the Nation’s economy to reduce to the barest minimum the harsh economic situation Nigerians are currently facing.
Mr Johnson who made the call at the opening of a two day training of Agents of VAT Direct Initiative (VDI) holding at Bishop Anthony Nwedo Conference Centre Umuahia urged Government to support MATAN wholeheartedly to make a difference and raise the standard of living of Nigerians.
Mr Johnson, who is also the Coordinating Administrator of VAT Direct Initiative Project maintained that addressing the issue of multiple taxation will further reduce the hardship in the land pointing out that traders, artisans and others in the informal sector when captured will enjoy interest free loan, free health care services among other numerous benefits.
According to Mr Johnson agents of VDI after the two day programme will be deployed on Thursday this week to kick start capturing of people in the informal sector in Abia State.
Also Speaking, the Abia State Chapter of MATAN, chief Nwanneakolam George expressed happiness at the large turn of people for the inauguration of VDI as well as the State exco and Stakeholders of MATAN Abia State Chapter.
The State MATAN boss, urged participants to take the training program seriously in order achieve the desired objective.
In his lecture, the National Project Manager Trade VDI, Mr Mohammud Pedro, noted that the excess taxation on operators in the informal sector is responsible for the hike in prices of goods and services adding that the VDI Initiative when fully Implemented will check the anomalies
In his contribution, the Inauguration Committee chairman South East and Abia State, who doubles as Director Contact and Mobilization of Matan in Abia, Hon Temple Anyatonwu described MATAN as the coordinating platform for all the informal sectors in Nigeria wareing over 80% of the population of Nigerians.
According to him MATAN is in partnership with FIRS and over 5000 Association including the NBA and other corporate organizations, with the aim of protecting the low income owners and fighting against multiple taxation in Nigeria, thereby creating a working relationship with the Federal Government.
The two day training Program continues today at Bishop Anthony Nwedo Conference Centre Umuahia by 10 am while the Inauguration of VDI and the State Executive of MATAN and Stakeholders takes place at the same venue.
