LG Chairman Supports VAT Increase

The chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Hon. Philip Okparaji, has endorsed the recent increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) by the Federal Government.
Okparaji said the VAT increase would generate more revenue for government, thereby helping in the payment of the new minimum wage.
The council chairman told The Tide in a telephone interview that the additional revenue would also help government in carry out meaningful projects that would be beneficial to the masses.
According to him, government must have consulted widely across sectors before taking the decision and signing same into law.
He advised all companies in the country to look at the long term effects of the increase and embrace the policy.
“I support it and l know that the additional revenue would be utilised for the masses, especially in carrying out meaningful projects”, he said.
In a related development, the Manager of Igwe & Co Consultants (a financial audit firm), Mr Silas Igwe, said the VAT increase would help the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Igwe, who is a financial expert said the “increase is a good omen for Nigerian government”.
He, however, noted that the only way the increase can benefit the masses “is when government manages the added revenue well”.
He called on the government to ensure proper management and usage of the added revenue for the benefit of Nigerians.