By; Samson Yaki, Kaduna.
A bill for the Kaduna State tax; codification and consolidation law, 2016 has been passed into law.
The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Honourable Aminu Abdullahi Shagali while reading the law for the third time said, the law is to codify and consolidate various laws relating to taxes, levies and revenues in the state.
The law will also establish the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service and its governing board which will be saddled with the exclusive responsibility of assessment, collection and accounting for all taxes and revenues accessible to the state and local governments for the enforcement of all laws relating to taxation and revenue.
Briefing the Press after the passage of the bill into law, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Honourable Nuhu Goro Shadalafiya explained that the new law will enable the government of the state to track down all tax evaders in the state.
Shadalafiya further explained that the new law will make tax payers pay less to enable them pay as at when due.
Also on the floor of the House, the motion for the need for the state government to appeal to corporate bodies and other business classes to assist in the development of host communities in the state, was moved by Honourable Aliyu Abdulrahman Haruna, member representing Kawo constituency.
Highlighting the motion, Haruna said in line with the present administration’s desire to develop the state especially through the provision of infrastructures and other basic necessities of life and investment, there is the need for the state government to appeal to corporate bodies and other business classes to assist and support the development of the state.
Contributing to the motion, Honourable Bityong Yakubu Nkom, member representing Kaura constituency, commended the motion stating that in as much as the state wants to benefit from these corporate bodies, the relevant committee in the assembly needs to carry out the census of all the corporate bodies in the state to guide the assembly in the allocations of what such bodies will do for their host communities.
Honourable Nasiru Abdullahi Maikano, member representing Ungwan Sanusi constituency decried non conformity with Federal Character by most of the private businesses in the state in the employment of their staff.
He urged the relevant committee to take that into consideration while carrying out their assignment.
After extensive deliberations on the motion, the motion was referred to the committees on Commerce and Tourism, Information and Home Affairs as well as committee on Agriculture for in-dept study.
