Some market leaders, members of the civil society and the media have expressed satisfaction with the outcome of a two-day capacity building workshop, organized by Social and Integral Development Centre, (SIDEC), as part of the Tax for Service project implemented in Anambra State in collaboration with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, (CISLAC), funded by Oxfam Nigeria.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the participants including civil servants made their feelings known during the second day of the event which afforded them the opportunity of interacting with relevant government officials, during which certain issues hampering the potential of the state in generating more than it is doing currently.
One of the leaders from the Main market, Onitsha, Victor Ajuzie, remarked, “We have learnt a lot these two days and we now know better. I personally gained a lot from this workshop. Bu such programme should happen regularly so that we can always clear our doubts.
“All the good plans of government must be implemented with caution especially because they are dealing with traders. Slow and steady sensitization and enlightenment will help greatly. It should not be a one-ff thing.
The Executive Director of Social and Integral Development Centre, (SIDEC), Ugochi Ehiahuruike, who had earlier spoken on the system of today and the future, listed some challenges bedeviling the current system to as: fragmented and complex tax system which allows overlapping, confusion and exploitation of small-scale traders and women in the informal sector.
Ehiahuruike also mentioned weak coordination from revenue agencies leading to competition instead of collaboration, revenue collection under fiscal strain, exclusive decision-making without people’s input as well as minimal oversight permitting abuse and revenue leakages through manifest loopholes and lack of transparency.
According to her, “the system being envisioned is such that is fair allowing all taxpayers including high-net-worth individuals and corporations pay their share, easing the burden on those least able to pay, equitable informal sector taxation which is grounded on data, with clear thresholds and simplified processes that protect small traders, particularly women.
“We also look up to transparent incentives, balanced tax structure, inclusive governance which allows tax policies to be co-created with communities and civil society through participatory mechanisms as well as strong accountability engendered by responsive oversight and monitoring by government institutions and civic movements who monitor the system, ensuring that resources are raised and spent equitably”.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Chinyere Nwabachili, in a presentation on Charter of demand as a tool for effective budgeting, explained that CCD (Charter of Demand) ensures that budget development is community-driven, responsive & effective in addressing community needs and priorities.
“The charter helps identify community priorities, ensuring budget allocations align with community needs and demands. It fosters community participation in budget development, ensuring that community voices are heard and valued in the decision-making process. It also helps to hold authorities accountable for budget decisions, promoting transparency and responsible resource management”.
In another paper on Understanding Tax Assessment and Reforms, the Executive Director, Assessment, Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AiRS), Ben Anierobi Okafor, represented by Abuchi Ogbogu, noted that the tax regime in Nigeria has been a complex web which many laws which hampered efficiency and effectiveness both in administration and in achieving fiscal policy goals.
He noted that recent reforms were targeted at addressing this challenge. “The federal government through different bills and acts tries to reform tax to ease the burden and bring succor to the populace. They include but not limited to Finance Act 2011, The Nigeria Tax Bill (NTB) 2024, The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB), The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill (NRSEB); and The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill (JRBEB).
“In Anambra State, Governor Soludo’s administration has through the Anambra State Revenue Administration (Consolidation and Harmonization) Law 2024 removed some taxes and levies by consolidating and harmonizing them. We have General Purpose Levy (GPL) merging fire service, business premise and other levies in one unit. Anambra Property and Land Use Charge (APLUC) which consolidated land use charge, property rate, ground rate, tenement rate etc. into one payment.
“The Anambra State Revenue Administration (Consolidation and Harmonization) Law 2024 marked a remarkable paradigm shift from the current tax regime putting an end to the complex and multi-layered tax system with its lapses and inefficiencies. It fosters economic equity, encourages business activities, reflects the current global trends and creates a business-friendly environment to attract local and foreign investments,” the Executive Director, Assessment said.
The session was an ample opportunity for participants particularly traders to clear their doubts and seek clarifications on grey areas and certain provisions of the tax laws of the state.
Rising from the two-day productive interaction between government officials, traders and other non-state actors, participants were optimistic that the event will positively impact internal revenue generation in Anambra State.
