Lagos, Rivers rely on population from other parts of Nigeria to sustain their economy, Governor Masari says

Lagos, Rivers rely on population from other parts of Nigeria to sustain their economy, Governor Masari says

  • Governor Masari says governors agitating for collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) are merely joking
  • According to him, most of the states agitator would not have succeeded without other states in the country
  • Specifically, he claimed Rivers and Lagos rely on population from other parts of the country to sustain their economy

The Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has lampooned his colleagues agitating for collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) by individual states, describing the move as a joke.

Rivers and Lagos states recently set in motion, plans to collect VAT directly from companies domiciled in their states. But the move by Rivers has been halted by a Court of Appeal. However, the state government has appealed the ruling at the Supreme Court.

Lagos, Rivers rely on population from other parts of Nigeria to sustain their economy, Governor Masari says
Governor Masari says Rivers rely on population from other parts of Nigeria to sustain their economy. Photo: Bello Masari
Source: Twitter

Masari said both Rivers and Lagos were reliant on population from other parts of the country to sustain their economy, expressing surprise that the governments of the two states would seek to exclude the rest of the country.

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The Katsina governor spoke in an exclusive interview with Daily Trust prior to Thursday’s meeting of the Southern Governors Forum in Enugu.

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“First of all, this issue is before the Court of Appeal for determination, so I will not comment directly on it, but I will give you a scenario.

“What is Lagos without the rest of Nigeria? The market Lagos is boasting of is dependent on the larger part of the country. Benin Republic has a port, Togo has a port; do they have the population to back up the ports? Without us providing the demand part, what will be Lagos?” Masari said.

He said all states benefitted from each other in the revenue equation and no one should look down on another because of those configurations.

“VAT serves them and us. We provide the bulk of the market because without the rest of the states, what is Lagos or Port Harcourt?

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Masari said both Rivers and Lagos were reliant on population from other parts of the country to sustain their economy, expressing surprise that the governments of the two states would seek to exclude the rest of the country.

“Any state that thinks it can survive in isolation is joking. We provide the demand that makes Lagos what it is.”

VAT battle: Why you should be your brothers’ keeper - Umahi sends strong message to southern governors

Meanwhile, Dave Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi sate has knocked his colleagues on the platform of the Southern Governors’ Forum over their resolution supporting the collection of the Value Added Tax by states.

Umahi made this disclosure on Friday, September 17, during an interview. Umahi said that Ebonyi won’t pursue VAT collection or implement the decision the forum made at a meeting in Enugu on Thursday, September 16.

Presidency reveals President Buhari’s final decision on VAT controversy

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Earlier, the Nigerian presidency has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will respect the final verdict on the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) as decided by the Supreme Court.

The presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, made the disclosure.

Adesina noted that though the case may drag up to the Supreme Court, the Nigerian leader would respect the rule of law.

Hisbah destroys alcoholic products as southern states decides not to share VAT with northern states

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Hisbah Board has continued to confiscate alcoholic products produced in other states and distributed to the region as Southern governors move to deny northern states Value Added Tax (VAT).

The Sharia-backed state police reiterated that it won't allow the distribution or sales of alcoholic products as it goes against its religious tenet which frowns against intoxication.

The activities of Hisbah has prevented beer producers from making gains in northern Nigeria and also causes revenue loss for no-trade and offpro-trade businesses.

Source: Legit.ng

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