#EndSARS: Give 1% of VAT to states affected by destruction, Senate urges FG

The Senate, on Tuesday, urged the federal government to assist in the reconstruction of damaged property in states that experienced destruction during the EndSARS protests by giving them 1% of Value-Added Task (VAT) collected. It also asked the Executive to set up visitation panel to assess the level of destruction of public and private assets […]

The Senate, on Tuesday, urged the federal government to assist in the reconstruction of damaged property in states that experienced destruction during the EndSARS protests by giving them 1% of Value-Added Task (VAT) collected.

It also asked the Executive to set up visitation panel to assess the level of destruction of public and private assets in all the affected states.

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The Red Chamber mandated its committee on State and Local Government Affairs to monitor compliance.

The resolutions followed two motions on the violence that followed the EndSARS protest sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti) and Senator Gershom Bassey (PDP, Cross River).

The two lawmakers lamented the invasion, looting and destruction of high-valued property belonging to individuals, state and federal governments by hoodlums during the protest.

The Red Chamber condemned the destruction, and mandated its committees on National Security and Intelligence, Defence, Police Affairs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate.

In their various contributions, Senators stressed the need for the federal government to take proactive measures to prevent recurrence of the EndSARS protests by providing employment for the youths.

In as much as unemployment persists, protest may still happen, said Ike Ekweremadu (PDP, Enugu).

Senator Christopher Ekpeyong (PDP, Akwa Ibom) said the state and federal governments should not wait for the youth to bring down the country before they act.

Government should be proactive, and resuscitate dead industries for the youths to be gainfully employed, Ekpeyong added.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, in his closing remarks, said the outcome of the judicial panels of inquiry set up in various states would definitely provide wayforwad on how the federal government will intervene.

He, however, noted that the federal government needs to do more to provide better economic environment to generate employment opportunities for the youth.

“But it is also important to support our institutions to function well. We need to give the Police and all other security agencies the support they need to ensure that they provide security.

“The various federal government programmes need to be tailored towards ensuring that employment opportunities are generated,” Lawan added.