In a move aimed at harmonising the state tax system, Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, today signed into law, an executive tax bill passed into law by the state House of Assembly.
The law, according to the governor, is aimed at harmonising, integrating and consolidating all revenues collected by ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs) and local governments and other connected purposes in the state.
Speaking at a brief ceremony to sign the law in Bauchi, Governor Mohammed pledged the readiness of his administration to fully implement the law with a view to ensuring that tax collection in the state is conducted in a viable and durable process.
According to him, the tax law will strengthen internally generated revenues, accountability and transparency in addition to creating one common basket for tax collection in order to prevent sharp practices.
The governor informed that the state government will come up with legal and legislative reform processes which will promote good governance, internally generated revenues collection and the ease of doing business.
He noted that the tax process in use before the enactment of the new law was outdated, adding that this enabled corruption and mismanagement of resources.
He assured that the state will deploy technology and best practices in tax collection to comply with best practices worldwide.
“I am highly delighted to once again assent to an executive bill recently sent to the State House of Assembly for passage to harmonise our tax system.
“Our process of tax and levies are outdated, which created an opportunity for corruption and mismanagement of resources with no economic value attached over the years.
“We will leverage on this law to deploy technology and other best practice to ensure our revenue is in compliance with modern tools and World Bank standards to reduce overdependence on federation account,” the governor stated.
Governor Mohammed said with the signing of the bill into law, his administration will improve on revenues generation for the execution of meaningful projects beneficial to the citizens of the state.
He declared that both the executive and legislature arms of government in the state are on the same page to ensure the provision of the much-needed dividends of democracy to the people.
According to Governor Mohammed, “the Executive and Legislature in Bauchi State are connected to make sure they provide development to various communities in the state. And I thanks our lawmakers for their synergy with us.”
Also speaking, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman informed that the House thoroughly deliberated on the bill before its passage.
The speaker applauded the state government for its partnership with the lawmakers aimed at improving the living standards of the citizenry.
