The governors of the 36 states have resolved to retain till next year the tax relief measures put in place in states for individual tax payers and businesses to lessen the burden of the coronavirus on the economy.

The resolution formed part of the outcome of the 16th teleconference meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held on Wednesday.

According to a communique issued at the end of the meeting, signed by the NGF’s Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, “all state governments through their Internal Revenue Services (IRS) will ensure the seamless implementation of tax relief programmes for businesses and taxpayers.

“These programmes which were released in some states since March 2020 are designed to reduce the financial burden of taxpayers in the country up till 2021 in some cases.”

The forum also resolved to work, through its sub-committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, to address concerns raised by states on the reception of new inmates amidst measures taken to curtail the spread of COVID-19 across correctional facilities in the country.

“The forum resolved to provide leadership to the COVID 19 response in their respective states by ramping up risk communication activities and community testing for COVID-19.”

The forum called on state governments to nominate focal persons that will interface with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources on the actualization of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP).

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva had addressed the Forum in July 2020 on the NGEP which is designed as a catalyst for Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves.

The plan is intended to spur revitalisation across gas-based industries in fertiliser, methanol, textiles and feedstock for industries among others.

The forum urged governors to maintain vigilance to ensure that the structures put in place for routine polio immunization are not jeopardized by the COVID-19 pandemic in the light of Rotary International’s recognition of the forum’s role in ending the polio pandemic in the country.

It commended the World Bank for the new initiative to support States in updating their property records.

The forum noted that some states are already in advanced stages of developing a geographic information system (GIS) that will help them gather, manage and analyse geospatial data both for the purpose of spatial planning and property taxation.

The NGF Legal Committee led by the Vice Chairman of the NGF, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, updated members on consultations with the Attorney General of the Federation to resolve concerns on the implementation of the Executive Order Number 10.

The committee assured that a technical committee, comprising members from all parties has been working to finalize an acceptable framework for the implementation of the Order.

Also, the Chairman of the NGF sub-committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa updated the forum on the importance for continued and increased testing in all States as the economy opens.

Okowa called on states to take ownership of the COVID-19 response, especially with the expected winding of the PTF by the end of September 2020.

He noted that “low testing rates at any time will make it difficult to track the correct status of the pandemic in the country thus making it difficult to make important decisions like opening of schools, NYSC camps, holding elections etc.”

According to the communique, the NGF Chairman provided update on the disbursement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) facility to eligible states has been approved by the Ministry of Health to safeguard government interventions in primary health care service delivery during the pandemic.

“The forum received a Rotary International Polio Certification Award for its role in eradicating polio in Nigeria.

“The forum had made polio a permanent item on its agenda for at least 18 months and was instrumental in maintaining high political commitment and coordination for routine immunization in all parts of the country.

“Governors received updates on the status of pending COVID-19 interventions for States. Governors were concerned by the delay in the release of the results of the SMART survey conducted for the Saving One Million Lives Performance for Results (SOML-PforR) Project.

“The Task Team Leader for the World Bank States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme, Yue Man Lee provided an update of the SFTAS programme and near-term action for State governments.

“The presentation also introduced a new technical assistance programme by the World Bank to support States in updating the property records of at least 50% of properties that have electricity connections in Urban Areas by June 30, 2021.”