By Matik Kueth
The Governor of Unity State, Dr. Joseph Nguen Manytuil, has ordered an immediate ban on taxes imposed on fish, firewood, and other basic livelihood goods, in a move aimed at easing pressure on ordinary citizens and restoring trust in local governance.
Manytuil made this directive during his visit to the IDPs camp (POC) on Saturday, May 26, 2026.
He described the levies being collected from small-scale traders and vulnerable communities across the state.
“This collection of tax, you have been collecting tax on fish, firewood, and other goods. Where are you taking the money? These are just vulnerable people trying to make a living. From today onward, I ban all the checkpoints and all taxes imposed on goods,” Dr. Manytuil said.
For months, residents, especially women and youth who depend on selling fish and firewood, have complained about multiple informal charges that cut deeply into their already fragile incomes.
Rather than presenting the decision as a routine policy shift, Manytuil framed it as a corrective step against a system that had drifted away from serving the people.
He warned county and local authorities against continuing such collections, stressing that leadership must protect, not burden, the livelihoods of citizens struggling to survive.
The ban is expected to have an immediate impact on markets and rural trading points, where these goods form the backbone of daily commerce.
For many families, fish and firewood are not just commodities but a lifeline, supporting food security, school fees, and basic household needs.
However, the decision also raised questions about how local administrations will compensate for the lost revenue, particularly in areas where such collections had become normalized.