Lagos Seeks Special Status From FG, Demands Review of Revenue Formula
- Governor Sanwo-Olu has demanded that the revenue formula by the federal government be reviewed
- Also, the Lagos governor demanded a special status be accorded the state given its strategic contributions to the country
- According to him, the revenue formula will enhance the capacity to deliver high-quality services and dividends of democracy to Nigerians
In a move that might annoy some northern states, Lagos state government has demanded a new revenue sharing formula.
The state government says the new formula must be fair, equitable and reflect the contribution of stakeholders to the common purse, Channels TV reports.
Source: Original
This was disclosed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu while speaking during a two-day southwest zonal public hearing on the review of the revenue allocation formula organised by Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC),
He also called for a special status for Lagos over what he describes as its huge financial obligations to the national coffers, The Cable added.
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He said:
“I should say that it will actually be unfair to expect the state to bear this heavy burden on its own.
“The call for a special status for Lagos is not a selfish proposition; it is in the best interest of the country and all Nigerians, for Lagos which accounts for about 20 percent of the national GDP and about 10 percent of the nation’s population to continue to prosper.”
Ganduje sends message to southern, northern governors
Earlier, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state called on his colleagues across the country to work in harmony.
He urged the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to avoid unnecessary tussles as they serve the purpose they are elected.
The Kano governor gave this charge while speaking at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, during an occasion to commemorate Nigeria's 61st Independence anniversary.
Lagos govt joins forces with Rivers in VAT battle against FIRS
Meanwhile, the Lagos state government on Friday, September 10, applied to the Court of Appeal in Abuja to be joined as a co-respondent in the appeal filed by FIRS against Rivers state.
The FIRS is challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, which held that Rivers state has the power to collect VAT within its domain.
The Attorney General of Lagos, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), informed the court of the state's interest to be joined as a party in the appeal.
Collection of VAT by FIRS remains
In a related development, the federal government said FIRS will continue to collect VAT following the ruling of the Court of Appeal on the matter.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made the comment while speaking to journalists in New York on the disagreement over the collection of VAT between FIRS and Rivers state government.
Source: Legit.ng
