In order to support victims of banditry, the Katsina State Government has disclosed its plan to bring back development levy and cattle tax.
The chairman of the committee on the reintroduction of taxes Alhaji Faruq Lawal-Jobe made the announcement at a public sensitization on the initiative on Monday, March 29, 2021, in Katsina
Lawal-Jobe, who is also the Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, stated that the government will soon begin collecting information from potential taxpayers.
The taxes, he said, will go into a special account to support widows and orphans affected by banditry and other security issues in the state.
“We’re trying to collect biographical information on people killed by bandits so we can figure out how many wives and children they left behind.
He went on to say, that it will help to discourage those children from engaging in such actions.
He announced that the state government had formed a committee charged with assisting victims of banditry in the state.
“The funds will be used to support widows and orphans in the state, and the committee will ensure that the funds are used to improve the lives of widows and orphans,” Lawal-Jobe said.
He pointed out that the state has a population of about ten million people, but only about two million of them are enrolled in public schools.
He also noted that the new tax regime was appropriate because the state collects around N6 billion from the Federation Account every month and spends N3 billion on salary and allowance payments.
Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, the Emir of Katsina, who also spoke at the event, emphasized the importance of paying taxes, stating that no country in the world could survive if its people did not pay taxes.
The Emir said that tax revenue would help the government implement people-centred programs.
He told the administration that the state’s traditional institutions will continue to support the administration’s efforts to improve the state.
Gov. Aminu Masari in his remarks said that the taxes will be used to improve people’s living conditions and fix the state’s insecurity issues.
Masari mentioned that for proper tax administration, a detailed database of people who raise cattle and other animals will be developed.
To ensure the scheme’s success, the governor announced that the government will include traditional and religious leaders, as well as the state Inter-Party Advisory Committee.
He further urged residents of the state to submit their suggestions to the State House of Assembly.
