Yobe introduces cattle tax

 Yobe has introduced cattle tax as part of efforts to boost internally generated revenue in the state.

Alhaji Baba Wali, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), stated this at a sensitisation exercise on the reintroduction of livestock tax and mitigation of farmer/pastoral conflict.

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Wali said the decision to introduce the cattle tax followed an Executive Order No. 3, recently signed by Gov. Mai Mala-Buni.

“At a security meeting held by the governor and critical stakeholders sometime in March, the National Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) proposed the introduction of cattle tax in the state.

“The proposal was unanimously agreed by all stakeholders because apart from increasing the state revenue base, the process of collecting the taxes will also tackle the menace of cattle rustling.

“If a herdsman pays tax for a total of 100 cows in 2021, and in 2022 he is seen with 200 cows, he will definitely have some explanation to make,” Wali said.

He said that a committee headed by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mairo Amshi, would soon announce the tax fee to be charge per cattle, mode of payment and collection.

He said that receipts would be kept with emirate councils across the state for issuance.

In her remarks, Amshi said the introduction of the cattle tax was part of efforts to add value to livestock production considering its potential in social an economic development of the state.

Amshi said that traditional rulers were massively carried along in the programme in view of their authority and respect they command in their localities.

The commissioner charged farmers and pastoralists to coexist peacefully, adding that no meaningful development could be achieved in the atmosphere of rancour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by local council chairmen, security agencies, cattle breeders associations, traditional rulers and veterinary officers. (NAN)