BY CHUKWUMA NNAM
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum, has said that the unanimous decision of the Southern States is to kill the Value Added Tax, VAT Bill once it reaches the State House of Assemblies.
This was his position while granting an interview on the ‘Arise TV Sunday Talk Show’
Recall that the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, had sought amendments in the constitution that VAT should be transferred to the exclusive list.
But the South-West governors represented by Governor Akeredolu said the amendments would “be killed at the State House of Assemblies”.
Akeredolu explained that the law does not give power to the Federal Government to collect VAT and share to the states, maintaining that the VAT should be under the state.
“That’s the position of the law. The FIRS seeking for amendment is a confirmation that they don’t have the power.
“The amendment will be dead on arrival. Why seek an amendment to a constitution when the provision is so clear.
“if the Federal Government was to collect VAT for states, it can only get a percentage which it can decide to share at the FAAC.
“You can only collect VAT on behalf of the states and hand their money over to them. You can only take percentage there for helping us to collect the money,” he said.
Moreover, on the PIB Controversy, Akeredolu said the Southern Governors’ Forum aligned and agreed with the position and steps taken by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to pursue the amendment to the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, so as to reflect equity, justice and fairness.
