#EndSARS: Senate asks FG to use 1% of VAT to repair property destroyed by mobs

The senate has asked the federal government to use one percent of the revenue accrued to it from value added tax (VAT) to repair public and private property destroyed across the country during the #EndSARS protests.

The resolution of the upper legislative chamber followed two consolidated motions sponsored by Biodun Olujimi, senator representing Ekiti south, and Gershom Bassey, senator representing Cross River south.

In October, many Nigerians took to the streets to protest against police brutality.

But hoodlums exploited the peaceful demonstrations, unleashing mayhem on citizens — looting and maiming in the process.

Gershom’s home in Calabar was set ablaze after a mob looted it.

While moving her motion, Olujimi said a number of public and private assets were destroyed by hoodlums.

“The alleged shooting of protesters further infuriated protesters and tension flared with consequent violent protests and the beginning of wanton looting and destroying of public and private assets all over the country and particularly Lagos, the epicenter of the protests,” she said.

“The private and public assets destroyed by hoodlums in Lagos was estimated to be in the region of over N1 trillion by the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”

On his part, Bassey said hoodlums targeted federal and state government infrastructure as well as federal lawmakers’ assets.

“Cross River state being a predominantly Civil Service state may not overcome the effects of the invasion since the destroyed state infrastructure were built from lean state resources over years,” he said.

The motions were adopted after Senate President Ahmad Lawan put them to a voice vote.