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Good use of tax revenues will enhance tax morale, compliance — FIRS
When govern- ments deploy tax revenues for the common good of the citizens, there is a concomitant increase in tax compliance by citizens who see the direct benefit of the taxes they pay.
This was the position held by the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami during his opening remarks at the launch of the Public Finance Database by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum at the Wells Carlton Hotel, in Abuja, on Tuesday, last week.
Mr. Nami argued that the low compliance tax rate in most developing countries was as a result of the failure of the social contract between the taxpayers and the government, noting that those in political leadership in the country had a duty to promote a tax-paying culture by relating projects and infrastructural developments executed by them to taxes paid by taxpayers.
“Taxpayers need to see what has been done with their money to be encouraged to continue to pay their obligations under the Social Contract they have with the government.
“I am delighted that one of the sessions focuses on the tax-for-service programmes as they impact tax revenues. This issue is dear to us as tax administrators as there is a nexus between the effective utilization of tax revenue and tax compliance,” he stated.
“The low level of tax compliance in developing countries can be attributed to the failure of the social contract between the taxpayers and the government. It is expected that if the citizens are committed to paying taxes, the government should be committed to using the taxes for the common good of all citizens.”
The FIRS boss further argued that projects funded by taxpayers’ moneys should be reported as such and not personalized so that citizens would begin to relate these projects as the proceeds of their taxes.
“Those in political leadership should promote the tax-paying culture by relating projects and infrastructural developments executed by them to tax.
“The government at all levels are doing a lot with taxpayers’ money but citizens do not easily appreciate these facts because of the way and manner the projects are reported.
“There is the need to de-emphasize and de-personalize projects so that the citizens will begin to relate all the ongoing laudable projects in the states to tax revenue. This singular act to a great extent will increase the tax morale and enhance compliance.”
Mr. Muhammad Nami, an advocate for a harmonized tax system as a cure for tax revenue leakages used the platform to call for the country to make a bold paradigm shift by harmonizing the country’s tax system to optimize tax revenue collection.
“Recently, there has been a clamour for a holistic review of our tax system. Its proponents, including myself argue that if Nigeria must achieve its tax revenue potentials as the fulcrum of economic development, a harmonisation of our tax system must be undertaken.
“Tax harmonisation for enhanced revenue generation, which was the theme of the 2nd National Tax Dialogue was carefully chosen to reiterate the need for us as a nation to rethink the current tax system being operated.
“There was a consensus at the dialogue that Nigeria needs a transition to a unified tax administration as practised globally by most of the efficient and effective tax jurisdictions that have achieved optimum tax revenue collection.
“Certainly, there is no gainsaying that if Nigeria must be less dependent on external borrowing and buffer from the volatility and dwindling oil revenue, there should be a paradigm shift. Beyond politics and sentiment, the country should be willing to make those bold and hard but beneficial tax reforms and there is no better time than now, if we must avert the looming debt crisis. The gains from a harmonised tax system far outweigh the fears expressed in some quarters, if dispassionately analysed.”
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), has called on staff of the agency and Nigerians to imbibe safety and health measures as part of their lifestyle.
Mr Cyrus Nkangwung, Director, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), NOSDRA, made the call on Thursday in Abuja, while speaking with newsmen ahead of the 2024 Safety Week for staffers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 World Day for Safety and Health at workplace would be commemorated on Sunday, April 28.
The theme of the event is “Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Occupational Safety and Health.”
Nkangwung expressed concern that unsafe climate conditions had adversely affected the productivity of working people around the world.
He explained that one of the responsibilities of his department was to identify an unsafe climate condition, deemed to likely cause health hazards in the agency and provide necessary precautionary measure for staff.
“We are enlightening our staff to tell them that the consequence of climate change is as a result of some of our attitudes in homes and offices.
“To avoid such attitudes, we are creating awareness so we can have a better environment conducive for work,” he said.
Nkangwung, who decried the nonchalant attitude of some staff towards safety, implored them to desist from negative actions that could impede occupational safety and health in the agency.
He, therefore, urged the staff to make paramount the safety and health measures as articulated by the OSH Department.
“No staff of NOSDRA is worth losing his or her life in the course of discharging official duties and obligations due to the effective measures put in place to ensure occupational safety and health in the agency.”
He applauded the Director- General of NOSDRA, Mr Idris Musa for his unwavering support towards institutionalising the loft policy of occupational safety and health in the agency.
NAN also reports that as part of activities to mark the safety week, NOSDRA is organising lectures on safe driving culture and defensive driving, as well as a talk on basic first aid slated for Friday.
Other activities include, a health and fitness walk on Saturday in Abuja as well as seminar on fatigue /stress management on April 29 in Abuja.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, vacated the warrant of arrest issued on Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, agreed with the CoS’ counsel, Femi Falana, SAN, and Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, who appeared for Ehie’s co-defendants, that the court lacked jurusidction to have granted the order.
Justice Nwite held that at the time the arrest warrant order was made, there was no pending charge before the court.
He, consequently, vacated the warrant issued for the police to effect Ehie and five others’ arrest.
The judge had, on Jan. 31, issued a warrant for the arrest of Ehie over his alleged involvement in the burning of part of the state’s House of Assembly on Oct. 29, 2023.
Those ordered to be arrested along with Ehie are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benneth, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri and Chibuike Peter also known as Rambo.
Justice Nwite gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police’s lawyer, Simon Lough, SAN.
He granted the ex-parte application as canvassed by Lough on the grounds that the six defendants had been at large to stand their trial in a seven-count preferred against five other suspected arsonists currently being prosecuted before a sister court presided over by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon.
But Falana and Aladedoye filed separate motions on behalf of their clients
While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the Jan. 31 order made by Justice Nwite, Aladedoye filed an application for a stay of execution of the arrest order.
in a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2024 dated Feb. 2 and filed Feb. 7 by Falana, Ehie sought two orders, including “an order setting aside the order made on Jan. 31 for want of jurisdiction.
“An order of this honourable court staying the execution of the order made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application.”
Giving six grounds of argument, Falana argued that the I-G (complainant) had not filed any criminal charge or motion before the court.
The senior lawyer argued that the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the ex-parte application as the alleged offences of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and arson took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
“He submitted that the court lacked the vires to grant an application to arrest and declare his clients wanted in respect of the alleged offences.
“The complainant/respondent (I-G) did not adduce evidence of terrorism in the affidavit in support of the application.
“The complainant/respondent did not cite any section of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 (as amended) alleged to have been contravened by the applicants,” he argued.
Also, Aladedoye in a motion on notice dated and filed Feb. 9 on behalf of the five defendants, sought two orders, including “an order staying execution or further execution of the order(s) of this honourable court made on the 31st of January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.
“An order of injunction restraining the complainant from carrying out or further carrying out the orders of this honourable court made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant in this case.”
Giving three-ground argument, Aladedoye said that a notice of appeal had already been filed against Justice Nwite’s orders.
According to the senior lawyer, the notice of appeal contains grounds which challenge the jurisdiction of this honourable court.
He argued that their appeal would be rendered nugatory if their application was not granted.
The I-G had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, arraigned Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37; Prince Lukman Oladele, 47; Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, 40; Osiga Donald, 42; and Ochueja Thankgod , 35, before a sister court presided over by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon on Jan. 25 in Abuja.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts and were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.
The I-G, who arraigned them on a seven-count criminal charge bordering on terrorism and murder, declared Ehie and five others, said to be at large, wanted.
Ehie, who was later appointed as CoS after he resigned as member and factional speaker of the Rivers Assembly, was alleged to be among the suspects being charged by the I-G.
His resignation was said to be part of the agreements reached in the bid to reconcile Fubara and former Governor, Nyesom Wike, now the FCT Minister.
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