Minister of information and national orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Saturday, said the ongoing tax reforms being initiated by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is crucial and timely.
The minister also said the Nigeria’s tax administration system is due for reform in terms of design and implementation flaws, as well as taxpayers’ attitude.
He however, called constructive dialogue on the tax reform devoid of regional, ethic and religious sentiments.
Idris stated this in Kaduna in his remarks at the National Discourse on Tax Reform Bills, organised by the Kaduna Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
The theme of the dialogue is “Tax Reforms: The Role of Public Relations in Fostering Constructive Dialogue for National Economic Renaissance.”
He said, “In a democracy, constructive dialogue is essential for the advancement of society. We must give voice to diverse opinions and respect those we disagree with. We will not always agree on all issues, but we must be guided by the fact that our common humanity, nationhood, and sense of patriotism unite us more than our differences.
“The Tinubu administration will never do anything to undermine the ideals of participatory democracy.
“Our mandate and responsibility for governing and reforming Nigeria came by way of democracy, and we will continue to live up to those very high democratic standards and expectations.”
Idris emphasised the urgent need to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system, describing it as plagued by outdated structures and a general mistrust among taxpayers.
“All over the world, effective taxation is important as a source of financial power for governments to provide social services for their citizens.
” However, there is plenty of reason to believe and assert that Nigeria’s tax administration system has become long overdue for reform, on account of design and implementation flaws as well as the general attitudes of taxpayers towards taxation.”
The minister commended the NIPR for organising the discourse aimed to foster dialogue on tax reforms and their role in the national economic renaissance.
Idris highlighted the significance of taxation, quoting Benjamin Franklin’s phrase, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”
“Taxation is a crucial source of financial power for governments to provide social services for their citizens
“However, Nigeria’s tax administration system is due for reform, citing design and implementation flaws, as well as taxpayers’ attitudes,” he added.
The minister noted that the ongoing review of the country’s tax laws and realities was timely and crucial, especially as part of a larger set of macroeconomic reforms aimed at setting the country on an irreversible path of growth and development.
“The full details of the new tax bills are available in the public domain, and I commend the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reform for their excellent job in this regard, in terms of public engagement,” Idris said.
He, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to express their views on the new tax bills, assuring that the Executive would listen to stakeholders’ concerns and work towards addressing them.
“It is inspiring to see Nigerians from all walks of life coming out to express their views and opinions on these matters of critical national importance.
“President Tinubu has also been very clear that the Executive will listen to and work with all stakeholders to ensure that all concerns are duly and comprehensively addressed,” he added.
Idris acknowledged the importance of citizen engagement in the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s fiscal reform agenda.
“As President Tinubu continues to implement an ambitious fiscal reform agenda that will devolve more resources to Nigeria’s State and Local Governments, and ultimately to the Nigerian people, in the spirit of true federalism, citizen engagement will become ever more critical,” Idris said.
In his remarks, the President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, while throwing the support of the institute behind the tax reform bills currently before the national assembly, said the institute is willing to partner with ministry to take the tax reform ‘gospel ‘ to the six geopolitical zones of the country.
