By Simon Ebegbulem

BENIN—THE committee set up by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to harmonise collection of taxes and levies in the state and the 18 local government areas of the state, led by the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, has submitted its report to the governor.

Submitting the report, Shaibu explained that the committee had met with various groups at both the state and local government levels and came up with a tax policy that would be acceptable to all.

Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki

It will be recalled that the committee was set up after Governor Obaseki banned all forms of collection of taxes and levies by individuals who were then under the employ of the state government.

However, Shaibu disclosed that the bill which would be sent to the House of Assembly for approval, titled, A bill for the Edo State Local Government Uniform and Harmonized Levies, Rates, Fees and Charges Law 2017, was to end any form of double taxation in the state.

He said: “All relevant stakeholders met with this committee and their contributions were what helped us come up with this report which will be very useful to the state if passed into law by the state Assembly.”

Responding, Obaseki commended the committee for the prompt submission of its report, and tasked the members not to relent in their efforts, saying: “You have to go back to the drawing board and plan the operational modalities on how this will be implemented when passed into law.”