Politics
Rivers Assembly approves ban on revenue contractors
Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday approved the ban on contractors and private consultants collecting personal income tax in the state.
The measure followed a letter from Governor Nyesom Wike requesting the ban on services of middlemen or contractors collecting revenue on behalf of the state government.
The letter, which was read by the Speaker of the House, Mr. Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani, at the plenary, sought the lawmakers’ approval for regulations that prohibits contractors or private consultant from collecting government’s revenue.
During debate on the matter, the lawmakers noted that the request was in the best interest of the state.
In his contribution, the House’s Majority leader, Mr. Martin Amaehule, said the request was in line with the state law.
He said: “The request we have before us today is a regulation in pursuance of section 75 of the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue Service law No.12 of 2012 and all other powers enabling the laws of the board.
“This particular section makes it mandatory for the chairman of the board to seek the approval of the state House of Assembly whenever regulations regarding the duties of the board are to be made.
READ ALSO: Wike extends curfew in Rivers State
“The key item on today’s request is that the state’s Board of Internal Revenue Service no longer needs consultants to take part in tax collection for the state government.
“The board wishes to be the only recognised body in charge of all revenue services so as to give room for accountability and transparency.”
Subsequently, the 24 lawmakers unanimously voted in favour of the governor’s request.
On his part, the speaker said the approval of the request would check unnecessary loopholes in the state revenue services.
“The approval today gives the board a total control of the state revenue. Indeed, this is a milestone especially for a development-oriented state like ours.
“It’s indeed a step geared toward instilling right norms and values in our institutions.
“As stakeholders, we must key into promoting the quantum human capital and infrastructure development of this administration.
“The ninth Assembly, through robust legislation, is committed to smooth actualisation of the governor’s development strides in the state,” Ibani stated.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
INVESTIGATION: In Kwara, multimillion-naira milk processing plant is abandoned, converted to a chicken outlet
After the government spent millions of naira to establish a milk processing plant in Kwara State that would provided jobs...
SPECIAL REPORT: For Sokoto communities, promise of healthcare is akin to death sentence
In this story, ABDULRASHEED HAMMAD delves into the dire realities of Primary Health Care services in Sokoto State, shedding light...
ICYMI…SPECIAL REPORT: NNPCL hides behind PIA to frustrate disclosure, accountability
Nigeria’s major oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), in what appears to be a common practice of disregard...
INVESTIGATION: Multi-million naira Ekiti resort center remains uncompleted a decade after
The multimillion-naira project, expected to comprise recreational buildings, now consists of cassava farmland, a bush used for excretion, and a...
SPECIAL REPORT: Torturous experiences of students with disabilities in Oyo tertiary institutions
For students with disabilities in Oyo state-owned tertiary institutions, learning is a torturous and distressing experience, considering the building structures...