Tax collection in the Amhara region of Ethiopia has dropped by more than half. The announcement came yesterday by regional revenue collection authority.
Since last year, an active armed conflict has been ongoing in the Amhara region. Fano militia fighters are fighting federal and regional security forces. Economic activity is disrupted in most parts of the Amhara region.
“In the first 10 months of the current fiscal year, it was planned to collect more than 71 billion birr, but only 33 billion birr could be collected, the deputy head of the Regional Revenue Bureau, Fikre Mariam Dejene, said.
The deputy head of the office said that the plan was “very flexible”, especially the security problem in the western zones of the region created an obstacle for the collection of taxes.
The Deputy Chief claimed there is relative peace in the region now. He urged businessmen to pay the tax in the remaining time.
Tax payers are facing multiple challenges in the region. Due to fighting between Fano and military, roads remain closed and businesses have to be closed. Farmers have been complaining about shortage of fertilizers and mandatory health insurance along with the tax.
This week, Amhara regional president Arega Kebede claimed that 97% of the region was safe and under the control of the government. But the drop in revenue collection indicates that Amhara regional government is facing serious challenges in imposing its writ in the region.
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Really mesfin tadese
If they don’t work where come money to pay tax. Due to foolish propaganda against the nation many of them have become relectant to work. No pay of tax no development that at the end affect the region.