Khat users chew the drug to ingest an ingredient which is similar to an amphetamine. QMI AGENCY PHOTOEditorial

(Somalilandsun) - It is quite ironic that as the city witnessed one of its most memorable trade expos, the largest industry in the country's urban commercial sectors who did not exhibit their franchise, was yet the only praised group as far as their obligations to their country and state (tax payments) was concerned.

Our reservations are not focused on to why they did not exhibit their products (after all they never do), but as to why they were the only ones singled out for praise and hailed at such a platform and not the rest.

Hon. Samale's satire was clearly felt and understood as he spoke to an audience that had in it all top-shots in our business industries.

By saying that he saluted chat dealers for promptly and duely paying their taxes, meaning that on the spot and in full, he metaphorically meant that other large industries in the public sector were owed fortunes by the treasury.

Otherwise, he would have singled others for the praise, given that they were there as exhibitors and amongst the audience.

Perhaps, more important, the treasury chief should have under pinned in his speech that development comes not only because of education, but mainly because of paying taxes.

No nation develops without their public populace being taxed.

Aren't the Iranians and other Persians (like Turks) the most educated people on earth?

While we support Hon. Samale's reminder of taxes, despite his jibe to the business fraternity being veiled, we insist that the higher echelons of the society should not be left with debts, and balances carried forward, of taxes due.

There are no known provisions in the law that allows balances on taxes.

Are the poor not double taxed for a simple default through an express fine imposed by the treasury without being taken to court?

As there should be no sacred cows, so too should all payments be prompt and in full.

Laws should be applied equally to all.

It is indeed sad and of course ironic that none of the exhibitors who were present were PRAISED for being worthy of their obligation to state and that non-participants were picked out!

For development to take place and for tangible progress to be palpable, then, and only then, would we hop forward if taxes are paid as due and promptly at that.

The writer M.A.Egge is the editor of the Horn Tribune a weekly English newspaper published in Hargeisa by the government owned Dawan media group

eggebodle@gmail.com & tht_editor@hotmail.com

This editorial appeared in the Horn Tribune newspaper