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Gombe’ll be unable to pay salaries if VAT earnings from FG stop — Gov Yahaya
Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe state has revealed that the state will be unable to pay salaries if the income from Value-Added Tax (VAT) by the federal government is stopped.
He also disclosed that 35 per cent of the state’s earnings was from VAT.
Yahaya stated this on Monday in Gombe when he received stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Gombe South Senatorial District.
The stakeholders, who came to present to the governor a certificate of vote of confidence in his leadership style, were led by Senator Bulus Amos (APC-Gombe South).
According to Yahaya, the move by governments of Lagos and Rivers to begin collecting Value-Added Tax (VAT) in their states was a wake-up call for the state.
He said with what was happening with Lagos and Rivers on VAT collection, “if they are granted the opportunity to collect VAT, what are we going to do?’’
He said that the reason the two states could boast over VAT collection was because of the industries they have in their states, hence, “we must wake up to the reality on the ground.’’
Yahaya added that his administration was working ‘tirelessly’ to leverage the opportunity of having three dams and the 40MW electricity being generated in the state to invest in the establishment of industries.
The governor also said that when the proposed industrial park comes to reality, it would open up opportunities in Gombe state for industries to be established and youths to get employed and the state’s economy improve.
He said the state needed to take advantage of its potentials to develop and improve the living standard of the people through the creation of industries.
Yahaya said the long-term impact of industries would be the livelihood improvements in host communities, adding “Ashaka Cement was established 40 years ago and the people of Funakaye and Nafada are enjoying it today.’’