By Nnabugwu Chizoba
Under the Nigerian law, Taxation Policy,
is enforced at 3 different levels, referred to as the 3 tiers of Government. The
levels, include the Federal, State, and Local Governments.
A close look at the structure of
governance and political administration, in Nigeria, reveals that there is a Federal
Government, at the centre, 36 State governments, and the Federal Capital Territory,
(FCT), Abuja, and 774 Local Government Areas.
Each of the entities noted above, has
its sphere of Tax jurisdiction, administration and control, clearly spelt out, well
enunciated, systematically and structurally outlined in the Taxes and Levies
(approved list for Collection) Decree, 1998.
Governments, at all the spheres of
governance in the country, have made laudable and concerted efforts to increase
Tax collection in their areas of Tax jurisdiction and control. That the efforts,
have not yielded the desired results, is a major concern to government, at
different levels. It is a very clear indication of revenue loss, a depletion
and/or leakage, if you like, of revenue expected to accrue to government. It is
also an indication, that some mistakes has been made, are still being made, in
terms of Tax Administration; or at least that things can be done differently or
both.
In the recent time, Nigerians, through
the media, electronic and print has been inundated with news, messages and the
likes, on Tax and other matters relating to it; more often than not, urging them
to comply with the, constitutionally imposed mandate, of Tax payment.
With the fall in the price of Crude
Oil, in the international market, the common language, within the government cycle,
at different levels, in Nigeria, in the recent time, is economic
diversification. It has been insinuated, time and time again, by those in
authority, at all levels of governance in the country, that the private sector
will be the driver of the economy. Whether there are clear or noticeable
indications that government is willing to pursue such statement beyond
rhetoric, is beyond my comprehension, at least, at my level as a common man, struggling
and striving to ache a living. I have the belief that other Nigerians, at my
level will still say the same.
However, what is undoubtedly clear, at
the moment is that government at various levels, is positioning to release her
weight on the fragile, private sector, in the name of enforcing Taxation
policies, to generate revenue, for government activities and programmes.
I am pretty sure, that self-acclaimed
protagonists and promoters of government, and governments’ programmes, would
not want to view, hear or see, the private sector as fragile. Whatever their
reason may be, my simple advice is caution. It is my watchword. Noticeable
signals in the country, do not seem to support any such move.
If the government, at any, or all the levels,
is truly serious about rebuilding the economy, and making the private sector, the
engine room or driver of the economy, common sense demands that deliberate
steps, through well calculated and systemized efforts would be made, first and
foremost, to make the private sector very active, to ensure her survival and
growth. It is quite obvious that the private sector, in Nigeria is presently at
the embryo stage, in its development.
It is general knowledge, an
incontrovertible fact, a common principle and practice in life, that, whoever,
that wishes to reap bountifully, must first, embark on investment through, meaningful
sowing. Planting precedes harvest. The case of Nigerian businesses, or the
private sector, generally, is no exception.
Jumping into conclusion, by government
functionaries and their cohorts, as their body language is revealing presently,
will not be very palatable. It will not only live a sour taste, but promises to
destabilize, the already, shaky foundation. Beyond this, such a move is not in
tandem, with the numerous assertions and promises of government, at almost
every fora, about repositioning, the Nigerian economy, through private sector
oriented efforts.
For any action by government in this
present perspective and dispensation, to be considered, apt and reasonable, and
as a matter of fact, appropriate and pursuant to the course of private sector
oriented development agenda, such efforts must be generous, at putting the infrastructure,
necessary for the private sector, to stand and attain sustainable development
status.
Anything short of the above, may
easily, fall into the category of those efforts that could be described as bouncing
on the private sector businesses, for the sake of individual and
self-aggrandisement, but certainly not for the purpose of building a viable economy,
by any pretence or stretch of imagination.
Since we are in Nigeria, and we
understand our leaders very well, we can read them and their body language,
very well, like literature books. On the basis of this, it has become quite imperative
to view, from the look of things, that an avenue to boost the interest of few
individuals, and in doing so enrich them over and above others, might very
soon, be unleashed on the public, in the name of tax administration and enforcement.
The above thinking, holds true, because
to my mind, without the required essentials and infrastructure to guarantee
growth and sustainability, in the private sector activities, it is a given that
no visible result is in site and no meaningful development can be achieved,
apart from what the effort, from the on-set is designed to achieve – enrich few
members, of the society, considered over and above the economy and the society
as a whole.
TO
BE CONTD.
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