CALABAR – The Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the management of Arthur Jarvis University to make public its tax payment records amid allegations that the state government is imposing excessive taxes on the institution.
The challenge was thrown by the State Chairman of the APC, Mr. Christopher Sunny Etta, during a town hall meeting with journalists held on Monday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Calabar.
Responding to questions on complaints allegedly made by the university over multiple taxation, Etta said the public deserved to know the institution’s actual tax obligations and compliance history before drawing conclusions on the matter.
He urged the management of Arthur Jarvis University to publish records showing the taxes it had paid to the Cross River State Government and other relevant authorities, maintaining that transparency would help clarify issues surrounding the allegations.
“If Arthur Jarvis University believes it is being excessively taxed, let it publish what it has paid. The public should have access to the facts so that people can make informed judgments based on evidence rather than speculation,” Etta said.
The APC chairman argued that taxation remained a legitimate responsibility of government, provided it was carried out within the confines of the law and in accordance with established fiscal regulations.
According to him, the state government has continued to pursue revenue generation policies aimed at funding infrastructure development, public services and other developmental projects across Cross River State.
He noted, however, that public discourse on taxation should be guided by verifiable information rather than allegations capable of creating unnecessary tension between government and private institutions.
Etta stressed that if any organisation considered itself unfairly assessed, the appropriate approach was to engage the relevant tax authorities through the legal and administrative channels provided for dispute resolution.
He added that government and private investors should maintain constructive engagement in addressing tax-related concerns, describing transparency and accountability as essential to sustaining investor confidence and promoting economic development.
The APC chairman also urged journalists to approach reports on taxation with balance and professionalism by seeking the views of all parties involved before publication.
According to him, responsible journalism requires thorough verification of claims, especially on issues with significant public interest and economic implications.
The town hall meeting formed part of the APC’s broader engagement with media practitioners on governance, public policy and political developments in Cross River State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
