Sequel to the judgment delivered by Justice Stephen Pam of the Federal High Court in Rivers State granted the state authority to collect VAT, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has inaugurated a four-man Tax Appeal Commission.
The governor, while inaugurating the Commission, charged the members to promote a new culture in which taxable persons and entities will comply with the relevant tax laws in the state without hesitation.
Governor Wike gave the charge on Friday, after swearing in the Rivers State Body of Tax Appeal Commissioners, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The governor emphasised the importance of taxation in the country and called for support.
According to Governor Wike, “No country can survive without taxes, no country.”
He urged the chairman of the commission to mobilise his team members for success.
“As you do all you can to rejig the government and the citizens to do what they are supposed to do, I have confidence that you will be able to reach your colleagues and members to do the right thing.
“Once again, let me congratulate you and believe that you have to kick-start immediately and get an appropriate office where you will commence from,” the governor said.
The move comes about three weeks after Governor Wike signed the Valued Added Tax Bill along with four others following their passage by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
