From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has appealed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria to give the case before it concerning the collection and distribution of Value Added Taxes (VAT) generated from the state by the Federal Government the urgency it requires.
Governor Wike made the appeal at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt yesterday, at the commemoration of the 62nd Independence anniversary
He explained that such urgency and eventual ruling of the case in favour of the State would further add more financial resources that would accelerate the economic growth of Rivers State.
He said: “We have also not given up in our determination to right the injustice associated with the collection and distribution of Value Added Taxes generated from the state by the Federal Government just as we again call on the Supreme Court to please, treat this matter with the urgency that it requires.”
Governor Wike said since 1999 that the country returned to democracy, it has continued to witness deliberate constitutional distortions, institutional weaknesses and widespread corruption that have prevented Nigerians from enjoying a robust democratic practice.
He listed the absence of free and fair elections, the rule of law and social justice as part of the experiences that were not allowed to take root in Nigeria.
Wike stated: “This is not to say that Nigeria has not made any progress as a nation. Certainly, we have achieved some visible developmental strides and economic progress as Africa’s largest economy.
“The fact that we have remained together despite the recurrent conflicts and crisis of confidence is also worth celebrating as an achievement.
“But, after 62 years, Nigeria deserves more than what it has achieved and Nigerians likewise deserve much more than what their leaders have delivered to them with the country’s enormous natural and human resources.”
Wike bemoaned the inability of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government, over the last seven years, to keep the economic and social conditions within Nigeria from deteriorating.