Awka residents decry stamp duty charges on bread, other commodities

 Awka residents decry stamp duty charges on bread, other commoditiesAwka residents decry stamp duty charges on bread, other commoditiesSome residents of Awka, the Anambra State capital, have lamented the introduction of stamp duty charges on basic consumables, especially bread, by some supermarkets.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some departmental stores in Awka, which also double as bakers, place a charge of N50 on every purchase of N1,000 and above.

While a regular size of bread sells for an average of N1,700 at the supermarket, the price in the streets goes for an average of N2,000.

But some residents, who spoke to NAN, stated that charging stamp duty on bread, a basic food item, was not acceptable in the face of the prevailing economic situation.

Mr Godfrey Ezeumeh, who bought at a popular supermarket in the Kwata area, expressed surprise at the levy of N50.

Ezeumeh said instead of the government forcing supermarkets to collect N50 on bread from members of the public, it should rather subsidise the commodity to enable more people to afford it.

He said it was unacceptable that after paying between N1,600 and N1,800 for a loaf of bread, the customer was still forced to part with additional N50.

A woman, who identified herself simply as Madam Gloria, said there were outlets which did not charge stamp duty.

She said it should be a matter of policy that customers who bought bread and other consumable items like snacks were not charged stamp duty

The introduction of stamp duty charges on basic consumables like bread in Awka has sparked significant concern among residents. Many are expressing their dissatisfaction with the additional cost imposed by supermarkets, particularly in light of the current economic challenges.

Residents like Mr. Godfrey Ezeumeh have voiced their frustration, arguing that instead of imposing such charges, the government should focus on subsidizing essential items to make them more affordable for the public. The sentiment is echoed by others, including a woman referred to as Madam Gloria, who pointed out that some outlets do not impose these charges, suggesting that there should be a clear policy to exempt basic food items from stamp duties.

The situation highlights the broader issue of rising costs of living and the need for policies that prioritize the affordability of essential goods, especially in difficult economic times. As residents continue to voice their concerns, it remains to be seen how local authorities and supermarkets will respond to this growing discontent.

DrAwka residents decry stamp duty charges on bread, other commoditiesDrAwka residents decry stamp duty charges on bread, other commoditiesSome residents of Awka, the Anambra State capital, have lamented the introduction of stamp duty charges on basic consumables, especially bread, by some supermarkets.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some departmental stores in Awka, which also double as bakers, place a charge of N50 on every purchase of N1,000 and above.

While a regular size of bread sells for an average of N1,700 at the supermarket, the price in the streets goes for an average of N2,000.

But some residents, who spoke to NAN, stated that charging stamp duty on bread, a basic food item, was not acceptable in the face of the prevailing economic situation.

Mr Godfrey Ezeumeh, who bought at a popular supermarket in the Kwara area, expressed surprise at the levy of N50.

Ezeumeh said instead of the government forcing supermarkets to collect N50 on bread from members of the public, it should rather subsidise the commodity to enable more people to afford it.

He said it was unacceptable that after paying between N1,600 and N1,800 for a loaf of bread, the customer was still forced to part with additional N50.

A woman, who identified herself simply as Madam Gloria, said there were outlets which did not charge stamp duty.

She said it should be a matter of policy that customers who bought bread and other consumable items like snacks were not charged stamp duty

Residents of Awka, the capital of Anambra State, are expressing their discontent over the recent implementation of stamp duty charges on essential goods, particularly bread, by some supermarkets. According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), certain departmental stores, which also operate as bakeries, have begun charging an additional N50 on purchases of N1,000 and above.

Currently, a regular loaf of bread is priced at around N1,700 in supermarkets, while street vendors sell it for approximately N2,000. Many residents argue that imposing a stamp duty on such a basic food item is unreasonable, especially given the challenging economic climate.

Mr. Godfrey Ezeumeh, a customer at a supermarket in the Kwara area, expressed his surprise at the unexpected N50 charge. He suggested that rather than enforcing this levy, the government should subsidize bread prices to make them more accessible to the public. He emphasized that after spending between N1,600 and N1,800 on a loaf of bread, it is unfair to impose an additional fee.

Another resident, identified only as Madam Gloria, noted that some stores do not apply the stamp duty, advocating for a policy that exempts bread and other essential consumables from such charges. Her comments reflect a broader sentiment among residents who feel that the government should prioritize affordability for basic necessities during these economically challenging times.

The growing dissatisfaction among Awka residents raises important questions about the impact of additional charges on essential goods and the need for poli

cies that support economic relief for consumers.