World Photography Day: Media practitioners decry high tax rates in Cross River

IMG-20210820-WA0003 — File photo of Miss Earth Nigeria Beauty Queen at The Earnest Etim BASSEY Press Center, Calabar

PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –

Media Practitioners in Cross River State under the auspices of the Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MPAN) has decried the high rate of taxation in the state.

The practitioners made this known during a rally to mark this year’s World Photography Day which had as theme “Sustaining the Earth Treasure Through Our Lenses”.

State President of MPAN, Comrade Nsa Ekpenyong Etim called on the government to ensure there is a zero level of taxation so that photographers can excel in their business.

Comrade Etim said: “Government should see how we can have a zero taxation level so that photographers can excel in their business.

“One of the things that drives away potential investors is high taxation and this has been a major challenge for us”.

“Government should also step in and see how we can leverage gears acquisition so that our people can purchase cameras at 50% discount”, he said.

According to him, photographers in the state are poised to use their lenses to sustain the image of the state.

While welcoming the partnership between MPAN and Canon, Mr. Etim said such partnership is a huge one and a foundation would be created in the state where professionals would come into the state and train photographers free of charge.

On his part, Emmanuel Oyeleke, a Canon Ambassador, said Canon is partnering with MPAN in the state to harness the potentials of the youths.

He said”We need to harness the potentials of youths in the state as youths in the state have been in the forefront of championing everything that has to do with creativity.

“The partnership is strategic as Canon is the technology partner of choice. It will give a boost to their creativity and effective productivity of media practitioners.

“Before now, people usually bought products from third parties and outside Nigeria, but now everything is here for the artists and all you have to do is to tell Canon”, he said.

NATIONAL ACCORD reports that this year’s rally was flagged off by the state Commissioner for Cinematography, Offu Aya and graced by hundreds of photographers across the state.