VAT: N-Delta leader backs Rivers, Lagos govts, insists companies must pay tax to respective states

By Timi Black

A Niger Delta rights activist Comrade Ozobo Austin has thrown weight behind the moves by Rivers and Lagos states governors Mr. Wike and Sanwo-Olu to bar federal government from collecting Value Added Tax from the respective states.

The leader of the region said there was no going back for the struggle for states to collect tax from companies operating in the respective states.

“I wish to state that the federal government should restrain itself to collection of Tax only in the federal territory. Let every state collect VAT in their respective states and use it to develop their states.

“States in the country are not developing fast because it depends on the federal government allocation to survive.

“This is a struggle for all well-meaning person in Southern Nigeria. Legally or otherwise, we must achieve this dream. Enough of the cheating. Enough of blindfolding. Enough of the intimidation.

“I wish to state unequivocally that oil companies in the region should comply with the new tax directive by the Rivers and Lagos state governments. We will not take it likely for any violation by companies operating in the Southern states.