Senate passes north east development bill, includes Kano, Plateau
Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso
• Okays three per cent VAT for commission, Lagos senators kick
The Senate yesterday passed for third reading a bill seeking to establish the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to intervene in the reconstruction of the region devastated by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The bill included Kano and Plateau states to benefit from the commission’s funds, even though they are located in north-west and north-central geopolitical zones respectively.
The decision to include the two states in the rebuilding plan followed a motion by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central) that they also witnessed terrorist attacks by the insurgents.
The Senate, in passing the bill, approved the allocation of three per cent of the country’s Value Added Tax (VAT) to the commission for a period of 10 years.
It also resolved the controversy surrounding the location of the headquarters of the commission, by approving that it should be in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
However, the three senators representing Lagos State kicked against the three per cent VAT for the commission, saying that their earlier request for one per cent VAT for Lagos was rejected.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central) had sponsored a bill titled: “A bill for an act to make provisions for Federal Grants to Lagos State in recognition of its strategic socio-economic significance and other connected purposes.”
After the approval for the north-east, the Lagos senators addressed the press. Senators Gbenga Ashafa (APC Lagos East) and Adeola Olamilekan (APC Lagos West) said it was wrong for the Senate to approve three per cent for the north east development commission without considering Lagos.
The lawmakers, who hinted that the bill would be reintroduced in the Senate, wondered why the Senate rejected the bill.Ashafa said: “Everyone knows that 68 per cent VAT nationwide comes from Lagos. Two weeks ago, a bill by Senator Oluremi Tinibu was presented, asking the Senate to approve one per cent for Lagos State as a former federal capital but the bill was not passed. We feel we should present our feelings to the press and Nigerians. We are appealing to Nigerians to assist us ensure that they give us a listening ear.
“We the contributor of 70 per cent of the vat income believe that one per cent is not too much. We are calling on the Senate to accommodate Lagos, one per cent vat bill. It has been agreed by our constituents to reintroduce the bill and we believe that our colleagues and all Nigerians will support us,” he stated.
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2 Comments
When the Niger-Delta people presented their case for 50% derivation during the National Political Reform Conference, Lagos and the South-West joined the North to kick against it. But unknown to them, it also would have meant 50% of VAT returning back to where it was generated. Now they want a paltry 1% of the VAT, but their Northern allies refused, and instead approved 3% for a region that contributes nothing to the federal coffers. Stop wailing and continue with your alliance.
I think any Nigerian is federally minded and detribalized would support 1% Vat for Lagos because this is were all of us leave,ofemanu, mpkanti,Edo,Hausa and every body ,see if we don’t maintain lagos and surge Abuja again we would soon look for a third capital. Howver what becomes of the second niger bridge because with 1 % of vat we can construct the bridge and open the East West Gate way pass, 1% for lagos continued maintenance. Haba what is wrong with rebuilding the NE after the Boko Haram but it would not just be rebuilding infrastructure, we should rebuild lives and families and business and I can guarantee that the book haram affected more people born in the south but resident in the north than it affected the rest .So lets rise to nation building and broaden our national outlook.
We will review and take appropriate action.