The Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi, has issued a severe warning to tax defaulters in the state, assuring that his administration will be very strict on its compliance in 2013.
Governor Amaechi said this in Port Harcourt at a town hall meeting with lawyers and stakeholders in the law profession on the topic; ‘Justice Delayed Equals Justice Denied’.
He assured that the state government is working towards amending the law to ensure that tax evaders go to jail, emphasising that the state needs the fee to assist in completing ongoing projects in the state.
He said, “Everybody must pay their tax. We will amend the law to ensure that those who don’t pay taxes will go to jail and that is the way the law will be. We will stop our brothers from collecting taxes on the road.
“We will stop multiple taxation and we have sent the bill to the State Assembly. We are waiting for them to pass it. But we will ensure that those of you who don’t pay their taxes and avoid taxes will be punished because we need the money to be able to run free education, to be able to run free health care.”
He restated his administration commitment to ensure even development in the state.
Amaechi however assured his government continual funding of the state judiciary but added, “But know that it is not only funds that make the judiciary independent.
“What makes you independent is the ability to assert yourself and say no to any arm of government or any individual, no matter his position in the country or the state. The day you compromise is when you will know that funding alone is not independence.”
He also affirmed that his administration’s policies would encourage the effective and quick dispensation of justice in the state.