The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has decried multiple taxation in the state, saying it was causing untold hardship to businesses and residents.
The Speaker of the House, Dr Danladi Jatau, raised the alarm while reading the house resolution on a Matter of Public Importance brought by Mr Daniel Ogazi during proceedings on Tuesday in Lafia.
Jatau said multiple taxation “is affecting businesses and the lives of the people of the state negatively.”
The speaker also urged relevant authorities to ensure that multiple taxation “is addressed and checked.
“I want to urge the state government to ensure full implementation of the State Revenue Harmonisation Law to avoid multiple taxation.
“I will also set up an Adhoc Committee to ascertain the number of consultants collecting revenues in the state and the implementation of the State Revenue Harmonisation Law, among others.”
According to him, the committee members included Mr Hudu A. Hudu as Chairman, Mr Daniel Ogazi, Mr Solomon Yakubu-Akwashiki, Mr Jonah Ali-Dizaho, Dr Hajara Danyaro-Ibrahim, while Mr Aluma Joseph would serve as Secretary of the committee, who is also the Secretary, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
“The committee should also ascertain our payees in Mararaba axis, Karu LGA and its environs. Let’s know whether those in border areas are paying revenue to us or somewhere else,” he said.
The speaker urged the committee to submit its report within two weeks.
Earlier, Mr Daniel Ogazi (APC-Kokona East), while raising the motion, said multiple taxation was adding hardship to the people of the state.
“Mr Speaker and my colleagues, my matter of public interest is in respect of multiple taxation in the state.
“Business people are complaining of paying multiple taxes and this is causing hardship to our people. A proprietor of a private school complained of paying 23 multiple taxes.
“The multiple taxation in the state is adding hardship to the lives of our people considering the current economic reality.
“As an assembly, it is our responsibility to protect our people and the state,” he said.
According to him, there is the need for the assembly to direct the State Revenue Service to step up and make sure that this multiple taxation is addressed.
Ogazi called on his colleagues to support his motion to enable it see the light of day.
In their contributions, Esson Mairiga, Hudu A. Hudu, Jacob Kudu, Hajarat Danyaro, Musa Abubakar, Abel Bala, Larry Ven-Bawa and Mohammed Oyanki commended Ogazi for raising the issue.
They said the house would not allow businesses to die in the state over multiple taxation.
They lamented the negative effects of multiple taxation, which include discouraging investment and adding hardship to the lives of the people of the state.
They further called on the state and local governments to ensure full implementation of the Revenue Harmonisation Law passed by the House
