TheCable

Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger state, has directed that the salaries and allowances of all political appointees in the state be cut by 30 percent.

He gave the order in a statement issued on Tuesday by Ahmed Matane, the secretary to the state government (SSG).

Matane said the reduction will take effect immediately.

Those affected are the governor, the deputy governor, commissioners, special advisers and all other political appointees.

“The reduction, which is temporary, was also in consideration of the economic situation imposed on the state by the coronavirus pandemic,” the SSG said.

He added that the payment of full salaries and allowances would continue when the economic situation improves.

While regretting any inconvenience the officers affected may encounter as a result of the reduction, the governor “acknowledged the patriotism, patience, and cooperation of all the political appointees at all times.”

On June 25, the state had approved tax reduction as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pamdemic.

The tax reduction took effect on June 24 and will run till March 31, 2021.

While the filing date for annual tax returns by all businesses and individuals was extended to September 30, 2020, the filing of monthly pay as you earn (PAYE) returns by businesses was granted a 10-day extension “beginning from the 10th to 20th of every month”.

A statement by Mary Noel-Berje,
chief press secretary to the governor, which quoted the SSG on the tax reduction, added that “the penalties and interests on late filings, payments and remittances, as well as default on tax liabilities have been reviewed downward to 5% for penalties and 10% for interest charges.”

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and others in the informal sector were granted tax payments in four installments.