Presidential Tax Reform to use FCT as model for harmonisation drive

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, says his committee will seek to use Federal Capital Territory as a model in the implementation of harmonisation of taxes in the country.
Oyedele stated this during a meeting on harmonisation of revenue administration organised by the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) on Friday for the Area Council Chairmen of FCT Administration.
He explained that the harmonisation and simplification of taxes would not reduce revenue as some people perceived in some quarters rather it would enhance revenue generation. He therefore expressed his support for the steps taken by the FCT-IRS towards this course.
He noted that states and the FCT must discourage unorthodox means of collecting taxes, levies and fees, especially on the high way, roads and streets describing it as unacceptable and embarrassing. He added that technology could be better used in the collection of revenue and it was capable of eradicating tax evasion, leakages and improving transparency.
According to him, all stakeholders must work together to ensure this harmonisation drive works because there must be a collective will to fight the challenge of multiple taxation in the country.
Oyedele said the FCT had all it takes to be number one in the Ease of Doing business in the country therefore all hands must be on deck to achieve that.
He acknowledged that harmonisation and simplification of taxes, as well achieving equity and fairness in revenue administration were critical areas of reform for his Committee.
In his remarks, the Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-IRS, Mr. Michael Ango commended area council chairmen for their commitment to this project saying that their open mindedness exhibited during the meeting showed their determination and willingness to achieve full harmonization in FCT as soon as possible.
Ango said he would constantly brief the FCT minister on every step taken as the Minister was equally committed and willing to support any effort that would boost the revenue of the territory with a view to providing more infrastructure and social services for the people of the FCT.
He noted that constant engagement with the stakeholders in this harmonisation drive was important to ensure that they were all on the same page pointing out that the Service would put in place a robust technology a platform to ensure efficiency and transparency in revenue collection and administration.
Ubokutom Nyah, Mandate Secretary for Economic Planning, Revenue Generation, and Public-Private Partnerships in the FCTA who was also at the event reiterated the commitment of the Minister towards the harmonisation drive.
He also lauded FCT-IRS chairman for reviving this very important initiative which has been pending.
He encouraged area council chairmen to fully support the initiative to ensure the success of the harmonisation of taxes in the FCT.
Kuje Area Council Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Sabo, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues said the chairmen were pleased to be part of the move to make the FCT a model in the harmonisation of taxes and pledged their support for the successful implementation.
Sabo stated that they all had trust in the FCT-IRS to collect revenue on their behalf but however cautioned that there must be fairness and transparency in the distribution of revenue collected.
He also expressed joy that this was coming at this time when they had a committed and hardworking minister who is determined to transform the FCT, adding that in the last one year in office, things have changed for better across the territory.