Senate proposes 1% VAT to States affected by #EndSARS Violence

The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to allocate one percent of the Value Added Tax (VAT) to states affected by violence and looting during and after the #EndSARS protest that engulfed a significant portion of the nation.

The adoption of this resolution by the lawmakers was premised on two motions moved by Senators Abiodun Olujimi and Gershom Bassey representing Lagos and Cross River states respectively.

The lawmakers noted that private and public assets destroyed by hoodlums in Lagos State were estimated to be in the range of over N1 trillion by the state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Among the public places and properties named to have been torched in Lagos are a Television station, BRT buses, and about 25 police stations.

Bassey in his submission decried the looting of warehouses in Calabar and the attack on the residences of some serving and past federal lawmakers, WAEC office, among others.

“Cross River State being a predominantly Civil Service State may not overcome the effects of the invasion since the destroyed state infrastructure were built from lean state resources over years,” Bassey told the House.

Senator Sani Musa in his contribution said, “ENDSARS came as a peaceful protest but turned violent. It started in Lagos and later spread to other states which led to the destruction of homes, businesses, and government offices. It is very unfortunate.