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New Ogun Harmonised Revenue Bill To Boost Business Investments

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The  bill on Harmonised Revenue and Other Charges Law of Ogun State,  2018 recently transmitted to the State House of Assembly by Governor Ibikunle Amosun  has scaled second reading on the floor of the House with an assurance that when operational it would eliminate multiple taxation and help promote ease of doing business in the State.

While opening debate on the second reading shortly after a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Adeyinka Mafe, seconded by the Minority Leader, Olawale Alausa and supported by the Whole House through a voice vote at the  plenary presided over by Speaker Suraju Ishola Adekunbi at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Sponsor, Hon Akanbi Bankole explained that it would consolidate on the industrial and economic growth of the State through an all-inclusive tax system.

Bankole, who represents  Ado-Odo/Ota II State Constituency, noted that the bill was enacted to ensure increment in the State revenue generation with a view to harmonising State and Local Councils revenue collection to further allow for accountability and transparency in the administration of the State finances.

In their separate submissions,  Honourables Ganiyu Oyedeji, Olayiwola Ojodu and Victor Fasanya, remarked that the bill when passed and eventually signed into law by the State Governor, would address tax evasion, adding that it would also widen the revenue base of the State to further allow for the implementation of more developmental projects across the State.

Other members including Honourables Jimi Otukoya, Adebowale Ojuri,  Tunde Sanusi, Idowu Olowofuja, posited that effective tax system remained an important fiscal instrument in national development, pointing out that the bill became imperative to block all revenue leakages, with an appropriate and proportionate revenue sharing formula between the State, Local Councils, and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.

They added that the revenue harmonisation was in conformity with the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

Also supporting the bill, other lawmakers including the Deputy Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, Majority Leader, Adeyinka Mafe and Yetunde Sogbein-Adekanbi, clarified that the bill in its schedule spelt out in clear terms,  the sharing formula between the State and Local Government Councils, using the statistics of revenue generation from the various local council areas.

Responding, Speaker Suraju Ishola Adekunbi appreciated his colleague- lawmakers for their robust debate and thereafter committed the bill to the Committee of the Whole House for further necessary legislative actions.

In another development,  the State Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the State Government to further improve on the ease of doing business in the State by establishing one-stop-shop in each Local Government and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) Headquarters by ensuring that all States and Federal Agencies operating locally have their offices within the Headquarters.

The passage of the resolution at the plenary followed a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker, who is also the Sponsor, Olakunle Oluomo, seconded by the Majority Leader, Adeyinka Mafe and supported by the whole House through a voice vote.

The members that spoke in unison during the passage of the resolution including,  Mafe, the Minority Leader Olawale Alausa, the Chief Whip, Idowu Olowofuja and Adebowale Ojuri amongst others  sought for the need for economic friendly measures to further make the State attractive for more local and foreign investors so as to consolidate on its second position on revenue generation rating in the country.

Packaged by Hazeez Ayansola

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