Rivers VAT Not For Abuja People, I Don't Care If Heaven Falls, Wike Warns Oil Companies |READ FULL
Afnews Editor
Sep 08, 2021
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, insisted on going on with his move to stop the Federal Government from collecting Value Added Tax from the oil-rich South-South state.
READ ALSO: Two Pilot Fall Asleep On Flight At About 37,000ft, Wake Up To Land Successfully
Wike, who said he does not care if heaven falls, insisted that Rivers money is not meant for "Abuja peopleÔÇØ but for the development of his state.
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
The governor spoke at a stakeholders' meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, while addressing Shell Petroleum Development Company and other representatives of oil companies and business owners in the state.
READ ALSO: FULL DETAILS: How Bandits Attacked ECWA Church In Kaduna During Church Service
It was earlier reported that the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt in its judgment last month in a suit marked FHC/PH/CS/149/2020 held that the Rivers State Government had the powers to collect VAT within its territory.
READ ALSO: Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
The Federal Inland Revenue Service, on Monday, prayed the court to stay execution on the judgment.
READ ALSO: 2023 polls in danger over delay in passage of Electoral Act amendment - INEC
But the presiding judge, Justice Stephem Pam, rejected the application, saying granting it would negate the principle of equity.
On Monday, the Lagos State Government toed the path of Rivers State as a bill to empower it to collect VAT scaled second reading in the state House of Assembly.
READ ALSO: Aviation: World's largest twin-engine jet takes to the air
VAT is a consumption tax paid when goods are purchased and services are rendered. It is charged at a rate of 7.5 per cent.
Speaking at the stakeholders' meeting on Wednesday televised live on Channels TV and two other stations, Wike lamented about the injustice in the country saying Rivers generated N15bn in June 2021 but got N4.7bn while "Kano produced N2.8bn in June but Kano also got N2.8bn. Sometimes you don't want to believe these things existÔÇØ.
The governor said he cannot continue to beg the Federal Government for what belongs to his state.
READ ALSO: I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
"People say that let heaven not fall but sometimes I believe that heaven should come down so that everybody will rest...When we do the right thing, heaven is at peace. So, the right thing must be done at all times,ÔÇØ he said.
READ ALSO: Agriculture, our hope for survival, recovery from Covid-19, says Igwe
Wike added, "Rivers State is challenging FIRS from collecting VAT in Rivers State. I am not challenging FIRS from collecting VAT in Abuja. Let it be understood. But the law says Rivers must collect VAT in the state.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: SPYWARE ATTACK: WHATSAPP WARNS USERS TO UPGRADE APP NOW (SEE REASON)
"The Federal Government surreptitiously lobbied to amend the constitution to place VAT collection under the exclusive legislative list
READ ALSO: Two Pilot Fall Asleep On Flight At About 37,000ft, Wake Up To Land Successfully
"We have challenged it and we have no apologies to anybody.
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
"I don't want to be in the good book of anybody but in the good book of God.
READ ALSO: FULL DETAILS: How Bandits Attacked ECWA Church In Kaduna During Church Service
"You don't bully a state like us. FIRS should be very careful. I have the political will to do a lot of things. If they continue to bully us, I will take all their offices in the state,ÔÇØ he stated.
READ ALSO: Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
The governor warned the oil companies and business owners not to remit their VAT to FIRS but the Rivers State Government.
READ ALSO: 2023 polls in danger over delay in passage of Electoral Act amendment - INEC
"I don't want you to fall prey of the people who think they can use force to take our money.
"If you want to take advantage and say you don't know who to pay to, it is a lie, you know.
READ ALSO: Aviation: World's largest twin-engine jet takes to the air
"From this September, we will start collecting our VAT.
"We will not look back but seal up the premises of such companies,ÔÇØ Wike warned, adding that the state does not need the Nigeria Police Force to enforce the collection of VAT but would use the state-created security outfit backed by the law.
Related Stories
REVEALED: How All Progressives Congress (APC) Played Into The Opposition Hands Ahead Of 2027 - Sumner Sambo Warns
I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
Tinubu Breaks Silence on Hardship, Inflation, Power Crisis - Vows Nigeria Will Overcome Economic Storm
"Terrorists Have Outgunned Our TroopsÔÇØ - Ndume Raises Alarm Over Boko Haram War, Sends Urgent Message To Tinubu
""
— Afnews Editor