VAT: Governors waiting for Supreme Court ruling – Fayemi
Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti State, has said governors under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) are waiting on the Supreme Court to deliver a ruling on the contentious VAT collection by state government.
Fayemi, who doubles as NGF chairman, said while appearing as a guest on Arise Television programme on Sunday.
“For us, at NGF, this is an issue we are looking at both legally and policy-wise. We are asking our experts to help us look at the implications for states,” said Fayemi.
“Our take is that the supreme court should accelerate decision on this so that we have clarity over who should be in charge of VAT – whether FIRS or states.
“We will wait for the supreme court to have a decision on this.
The VAT issue between two states – Rivers, and Lagos States – and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has been contentious.
Both states have signed laws empowering them to collect Value Added Taxes, in rejection of FIRS continued collection of the same.
A Federal High Court had earlier ruled on the matter in favour of Rivers State.
The FIRS however appealed the ruling, after which Rivers State Government approach the Supreme Court for constitutional interpretation on the knotty issue.
