VAT: Northern governors meet in Kaduna 

Governors of the 19 northern States are meeting in Kaduna State over the controversies on the Value Added Tax (VAT).

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had on August 9 issued an order restraining the FIRS from collecting VAT and personal income tax (PIT) in Rivers.

The court directed the Rivers state government to take charge of the collection.

Subsequently, Lagos State also joined Rivers in the suit on VAT collection but an appellate court ordered a stay of execution following an appeal by the Federal Government.

Speaking at the emergency meeting at Sir. Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Governor Simon Lalong, said other issues relating to the peace, progress and development of the northern people and the nation at large will also be discussed at the meeting.

Lalong, who spoke before the meeting went into a closed door session, said the northern leaders would look at some new national issues that have emerged over the recent months and weeks with a view to coming up with a position for the region.

He said the region will also adopt the best possible approach to ensuring that its interest is protected and promoted.

He added that key among the issues is that of Value Added Tax collection and the surrounding controversy.

He said the meeting would also get an update on the progress made so far on some of the resolutions reached at its last meeting and reports from the various committees it earlier constituted in February.

There has been a dispute between the Federal Government and some states, who headed to the court to demand

Daily Trust reports prominent traditional rulers are attending the meeting.