CITN president clamours stiffer punishment for tax evaders

By Uthman Salami

The President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mrs. Dame Olajumoke Simplice has urged government at all levels to be stiffer in punishing tax evaders in the country.

Speaking at the institute’s 44th induction ceremony held in Lagos, she expressed dissatisfaction at the way governments take issue of tax evasion.

According to her, “It is only in Nigeria that tax evaders are petted. In civilized clines, they are jailed.

“Tax evasion is a crime as it is in our law. For as long as we are not applying it, people will continue to default paying taxes.

“Tax evaders should be adequately punished.”

While explaining the veracity and paucity of taxation, she explained that “taxation is the only viable source of revenue for government. Before oil revenue, it was taxation through Groundnut pyramid, Cocoa and cotton creating massive revenue for the government.

“But as soon as oil came, we just veered off. She added that taxation is the only source of revenue that ‘endears forever.’

She called on the people “to understand that the need to contribute their quota to the development of the country.” She added that “oil is a wasting asset.

“Other resources are wasting resources but taxation is not wasting. It can only grow. We cannot continue to run red economy.”

In response to the role of government in bringing dividends of taxation to the masses, she urged the government to do its part.

“As an institute, we will continue to tell the government to let the tax payers see what their money is being used for.

“And create a viable economic climate where people can do their business and pay taxes and see what the taxes they are paying are being paid for.”

While fielding question on what her institute is doing with regards to sensitization and enlightenment of payment of taxes in Nigeria, she explained that there district societies that are grassrooted and saddled with responsibility of enlightening and educating the informal sector.

She declared that “the districts are to go to the grassroots and educate people. And as part of our interventions, we mandate them to teach the market in the informal sector on how to keep records of their goods.”

In her swift reaction to questions on lessons being learnt from COVID-19 pandemic, she believed it was an opportunity for Nigeria to “know that primary health Care is very important.

“The major take away from COVID-19 pandemic is the need for Nigerians to build strong institutions including health and education,” she concluded.