Nasarawa: Speaker tasks revenue bodies on transparency, accountability

By Musa Baba Adamu

Speaker of the Nasarawa House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, has urged revenue-collecting associations and groups to be transparent and accountable in their responsibilities.
According to Mr Jatau, this is to ensure the speedy development of the state and bolster good governance in the country.
The speaker made the call on Monday in Lafia while playing host to the Market Traders Association of Nigeria(MATAN) and VAT Direct Initiative, Nasarawa chapters.
He said, ”If all the taxes go directly into the government account, it will bring speedy development to the country.”
Mr Jatau appreciated the groups for the visit and assured them of his readiness to make laws and resolutions that directly impact business activities in Nasarawa.
“I advise you to be transparent and accountable in your activities. Let’s transparency be your watchword. If the revenues collected are channelled and properly remitted to the government account, there will be speedy development in the country,” he said.
The speaker assured them of his support and intervention as requested by the association.
Shehu Dalhatu, leader of MATAN and leader of VDI, Juliana Esla-Dauda, said the purpose of the visit was to familiarise themselves with the speaker.
They said the associations were formed to create jobs, improve the welfare of the people, collect and remit revenue to the government.
The leader of MATAN said the association was the umbrella body for all trading associations in Nigeria and was founded in 1995. He said it was to promote awareness of VAT collection and remittance in the marketplace and informal sector.
The leader of VDI said it was introduced by the Federal Inland Revenue Service to collect and remit VAT from MATAN members, especially those in the informal sector, using unified system technology.
They assured the speaker of their prayers and support.
They, however, solicited the speaker’s support for the associations’ activities, office accommodation and the planned training of its agents.