VAT Collection In Nigeria: Wike Asks Businesses In Rivers To Shun FIRS

• Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has directed businesses in the state to shun the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and remit their VAT to his government.

As Value Added Tax (VAT) in Nigeria continues to linger, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, has asked businesses in the state to shun the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

While threatening to deal with the FIRS over the VAT collection in Nigeria, Wike warned oil companies and business owners not to remit their VAT to the agency, but his government.

The governor made this threat during an interview on Channels TV, Wike said he doesn’t care about the revenue-generating agency’s federal power, as he threatened to takeover its offices in Rivers.

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike

His words: “I overhead the FIRS chairman saying that he will show me the powers of the Federal Government that the Federal Government will muzzle the judiciary. It is not my business. The court has decided.

“All these bullying (by) FIRS. They should mind the state they are bullying. FIRS should be very careful. You don’t bully state like us…I have the political will to do a lot of things. I am not one of those governors that will shy away. If they continue to bully us, all their offices in the state, I will take.

READ ALSO: Open-Grazing Ban, VAT Bills Pass Second Reading At Lagos Assembly

“From this September, we will start collecting our VAT.

“We will not look back but seal up the premises of such companies.”

It would be recalled that in August, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt ruled that the Rivers State government had the powers to collect VAT within its territory.

Following the ruling, the FIRS, on Monday, September 6, prayed the court to stay execution on the judgment.

Rejecting the FIRS request, the presiding judge, Justice Stephem Pam said granting it would negate the principle of equity.

In view of the court judgement, Rivers State government is henceforth eligible to collect VAT from companies that operate within its territory.

VAT in Nigeria is a consumption tax paid when goods are purchased and services are rendered. It is charged at a rate of 7.5 per cent.

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