Reps to investigate alleged tax abuse by public officials as Nigeria loses N8trn annually
The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc Committee to investigate alleged abuse of tax incentives, breaks and waivers by public officials and benefiting companies.
This was the sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun) at plenary on Thursday.
Moving the motion earlier, Mr Oke said it is within the ambits of the federal government’s powers to exercise executive and legislative jurisdiction over items in the Exclusive Legislative list as contained in the second schedule of the Constitution.
He said that items like taxation of incomes, profits and capital gains, export and imports are exclusively within the federal government’s control.
According to him, in line with the above, the Federal Government of Nigeria exercises monetary and fiscal controls over the economy to stabilise both micro and macroeconomic conditions and fundamentals.
The lawmaker said that some of the tools available to monetary and fiscal policy authorities to tinker with the economy and stimulate economic activities in some sectors of the economy are tax waivers, tax breaks, tax exemptions and tax incentives.
“Available data also shows that while the federal government has good intentions, these practices have and continue to create a major black hold in the purse of the federation’s government.
“These losses are occasioned and driven primarily by abuses by companies that have been granted tax-based waivers and incentives.
“Available data, Nigeria continues to lose about eight trillion naira annually to tax incentives and waivers.
“About six trillion is lost to companies that abuse the system, while two trillion naira worth of waivers achieve’ the federal government’s objective.
“Most abuses arise from fiscal items like capital allowances, Investment Allowances, Pioneer Status Incentives, Free Trade Zone exemptions, Value Added Tax Exemptions, etc.
“These gaps have negatively affected the Nigeria Tax to-GDP ratio of Nigeria, which stands at 10.6 per cent and is one of the lowest in Africa.
READ ALSO: Concessions will be granted to defectors from rival parties — APC
“The gap created in the revenue profile of the Government of the Federation has also contributed to the federal government seeking loans, grants and aides to fund our budget deficit.
“Concerned that if urgent steps are not taken to investigate the situations, Nigeria may not only be hanging on a fiscal cliff, it may fall off the cliff and be heading to Venezuela, which is a situation where a country has huge resources but is in deep economic crisis, recession and depression,” he said.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, mandated the committee (when constituted) to report back within for weeks for further legislative action.
(NAN)
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The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc Committee to investigate alleged abuse of tax incentives, breaks and waivers by public officials and benefiting companies.
This was the sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun) at plenary on Thursday.
Moving the motion earlier, Mr Oke said it is within the ambits of the federal government’s powers to exercise executive and legislative jurisdiction over items in the Exclusive Legislative list as contained in the second schedule of the Constitution.
He said that items like taxation of incomes, profits and capital gains, export and imports are exclusively within the federal government’s control.
According to him, in line with the above, the Federal Government of Nigeria exercises monetary and fiscal controls over the economy to stabilise both micro and macroeconomic conditions and fundamentals.
The lawmaker said that some of the tools available to monetary and fiscal policy authorities to tinker with the economy and stimulate economic activities in some sectors of the economy are tax waivers, tax breaks, tax exemptions and tax incentives.
“Available data also shows that while the federal government has good intentions, these practices have and continue to create a major black hold in the purse of the federation’s government.
“These losses are occasioned and driven primarily by abuses by companies that have been granted tax-based waivers and incentives.
“Available data, Nigeria continues to lose about eight trillion naira annually to tax incentives and waivers.
“About six trillion is lost to companies that abuse the system, while two trillion naira worth of waivers achieve’ the federal government’s objective.
“Most abuses arise from fiscal items like capital allowances, Investment Allowances, Pioneer Status Incentives, Free Trade Zone exemptions, Value Added Tax Exemptions, etc.
“These gaps have negatively affected the Nigeria Tax to-GDP ratio of Nigeria, which stands at 10.6 per cent and is one of the lowest in Africa.
READ ALSO: Concessions will be granted to defectors from rival parties — APC
“The gap created in the revenue profile of the Government of the Federation has also contributed to the federal government seeking loans, grants and aides to fund our budget deficit.
“Concerned that if urgent steps are not taken to investigate the situations, Nigeria may not only be hanging on a fiscal cliff, it may fall off the cliff and be heading to Venezuela, which is a situation where a country has huge resources but is in deep economic crisis, recession and depression,” he said.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, mandated the committee (when constituted) to report back within for weeks for further legislative action.
(NAN)
Support PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.
Donate
TEXT AD: Call Willie – +2348098788999
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