Southern Governors in Nigeria have shown their support for Rivers and Lagos States to collect Valued Added Tax (Tax) instead of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). They also added that states across the federation should also be allowed to do the same.
In a communique issued after their meeting in Enugu State on Thursday, the Southern Governors reaffirmed its earlier commitment to fiscal federalism as resolved at the inaugural meeting of the Forum held on Tuesday, 11th May 2021 at Asaba, Delta State and emphasized the need for the Southern States to leverage the legislative competence of their respective State Houses of Assembly as well as representation in the National assembly to pursue its inclusion in the Nigerian Constitution through the ongoing constitutional amendment.
The Southern Governors further said the meeting resolved to support the position that the collection of VAT falls within the powers of the States.
It will be recalled that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has been battling the issue of who ought to collect VAT with the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS.
While Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State declared support for Federal Government to collect VAT, the meeting held on Thursday saw the Southern Governors declaring support for Wike and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Other issues discussed during the meeting include:
Expressed satisfaction with the rate at which the States in the Southern Nigeria are enacting or amending the Anti- Open Grazing Laws which align with the uniform template and aspiration of Southern Governors and encouraged the States that are yet to enact this law to do so expeditiously.
Encouraged the full operationalization of already agreed regional security outfits; which would meet, share intelligence and collaborate, to ensure the security and safety of the region.
Reaffirmed its earlier commitment to fiscal federalism as resolved at the inaugural meeting of the Forum held on Tuesday, 11th May 2021 at Asaba, Delta State and emphasized the need for the Southern States to leverage the legislative competence of their respective State Houses of Assembly as well as representation in the National assembly to pursue its inclusion in the Nigerian Constitution through the ongoing constitutional amendment.
Following from paragraph “3” above, the meeting resolved to support the position that the collection of VAT falls within the powers of the States.
Expressed satisfaction with the handling of issues around the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and ownership of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by the larger Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Reiterated their earlier position that the next President of Nigeria must come from the Southern part of Nigeria in line with politics of equity, justice and fairness.
The Forum thanked the host Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and chose Rivers State as the next host for the Southern Governors’ Forum meeting in November 2021.
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