Wike added, “Rivers State is challenging FIRS from collecting VAT in Rivers State. I am not challenging FIRS from collecting VAT in Abuja. Let it be understood. But the law says Rivers must collect VAT in the state.”

“The Federal Government surreptitiously lobbied to amend the constitution to place VAT collection under the exclusive legislative list

“We have challenged it and we have no apologies to anybody.

“I don’t want to be in the good book of anybody but in the good book of God.

“You don’t bully state like us. FIRS should be very careful. I have the political will to do a lot of things. If they continue to bully us, I will take all their offices in the state,” he stated.

Rivers begin VAT collection September, says Wike

The governor warned the oil companies and business owners not to remit their VAT to FIRS but the Rivers State Government.

“I don’t want you to fall prey to the people who think they can use force to take our money.

“If you want to take advantage and say you don’t know who to pay to, it is a lie, you know.

“From this September, we will start collecting our VAT.

“We will not look back but seal up the premises of such companies,” he warned.