News

Hardship: Review Multiple Taxations On Essential Goods, Reps Urge FG

Published

3 months ago

October 11, 2024

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to review its current tax policies, particularly those on essential goods, to ease the burden on Nigerians.

The House resolution followed the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance moved during Thursday’s plenary session by the member representing Anambra East/Anambra West Federal Constituency, Anambra State, Mr Peter Aniekwe.

Titled “Need for government’s sensitivity to the plight of the masses and the call to refrain from shifting economic burden through unnecessary and multiple taxations,” the Labour Party lawmaker lamented the current economic situation of the country, “characterised by rising inflation, unemployment, and the increasing cost of living,” which he said “has led to widespread hardship for the masses.”

He noted that, “The imposition of multiple taxes, levies, and charges at various levels of government only serves to exacerbate the financial strain on citizens, particularly those in low-income brackets, many of whom are already struggling to meet basic needs such as food, healthcare, housing, and education.”

“The introduction of additional and sometimes unnecessary taxes, including consumption taxes, service taxes, and levies on essential goods and services, places an undue burden on the masses, further widening the inequality gap.

“While taxation is necessary for government revenue, a balance must be struck between revenue generation and the economic well-being of citizens, particularly at a time when many families and businesses are still recovering from the economic impact of global and local challenges.”

He noted that the Federal Government can explore other revenue sources without “overburdening the masses, such as expanding the tax base, improving tax administration, reducing government waste, and curbing corruption.”

Following the adoption of the motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, mandated the House Committees on Finance and Federal Inland Revenue Service to, within three weeks, “conduct a thorough review of existing tax laws and policies to streamline tax collection processes.”

This, he noted, will help eliminate redundant or overlapping taxes that contribute to the financial burden on citizens “and identify areas of double taxation at all levels to provide relief to citizens without jeopardising government revenue targets.”

The House also urged the Federal Government to consider alternative revenue generation strategies, “such as widening the tax net to capture more high-income earners, strengthening enforcement of existing tax laws, and plugging leakages in the system.”

It further directed the National Orientation Agency and other relevant agencies to embark on an awareness campaign to educate the public on their tax rights and responsibilities and to report any cases of exploitation or unjust taxation to the ombudsman.

That said, the House called for the immediate suspension of any new tax initiatives that disproportionately affect the low-income population until a comprehensive review of their impact is conducted.

Last Friday, the Federal Government announced the exemption of 63 items from Value-Added Tax (VAT), as part of its latest fiscal reforms.

News

Gunmen abduct Nigerian Professor, Demand N10m Ransom

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted Professor John Ebeh, a senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State.

The assailants are reportedly demanding a N10 million ransom for his release.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attackers invaded the professor’s residence in Agbeji, a suburb of Anyigba, in Dekina Local Government Area, at about 7 p.m. on Thursday.

According to a neighbor who identified himself as Akpai, “The hoodlums operated in a commando manner. It was swift. We noticed a car trailing him furiously; we took it as one of his friends or colleagues, not until we started hearing gunshots around his gate.”

A family source disclosed that the professor was abducted just as he was about to enter his compound.

“Professor Ebeh was almost at the gate of his house at Agbeji, on his way from the town when the incident happened.

“He had even given out a signal to his people to open the gate of his house when some people emerged suddenly from their hideout and started shooting sporadically.

“Amidst the confusion, someone drove in furiously and blocked his car.

“Some masked people alighted from the vehicle and whisked him away at gunpoint.

“His abductors called the family on Friday night, demanding N10 million,” the source recounted.

University officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.

However, one of Professor Ebeh’s colleagues expressed shock at the development, saying, “The kidnapping (of the professor) came to us as a shock. I have just visited his family to sympathize with them.”

News

Sad: Ondo SSG Is Dead

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Tayo Oluwatuyi, on Saturday died in an auto crash.

The SSG died in the crash which occurred while he was traveling from Akure, Ondo State capital, to Ibadan in Oyo State.

Confirming the incident, Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Wale Akinlosotu, stated that Oluwatuyi was hospitalised before he gave up the ghost.

“Hon. Oluwatuyi was a dedicated public servant whose unwavering commitment to administrative coordination, policy advisory, and implementation had a significant impact on Ondo State.

“Further details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared as they become available,” he added.

News

Mohamed Salah confirms this season as his last season at Liverpool

Published

2 hours ago

January 4, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Liverpool’s talisman, Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly, popularly known as Mohamed Salah, has confirmed that the 2024–2025 football season will be his last season donning the shirts of Liverpool.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Mo Salah revealed that he is eager to win this year’s English Premier League title for the Reds to sign off his eight-year stay with the Merseyside based club.

Salah reflected on Liverpool’s previous Premier League triumph in the 2019-2020 season, noting that they were unable to celebrate it as they had hoped. Salah stated that he is determined to help the team win the title this year and celebrate in a manner worthy of their remarkable achievement.

He reflected on Liverpool’s previous Premier League triumph, noting that they were unable to celebrate it as they had hoped. Salah stated that he is determined to help the team win the title this year and celebrate in a manner worthy of their remarkable achievement.

“It’s probably because we didn’t celebrate the one we won in the way we wanted and also, coming back here too, it’s my last year in the club so you want to do something special for the city.

“We waited for that title for 30 years or so. So, to win it and it was the pandemic at that time, we didn’t really have time to celebrate it in the right way. It’s not a nice thing to do, so hopefully we can do it this year.”

“I really want to win the Premier League this season as it’s my last year at the club. I want to give something special to the City.” He said.

Mohamed Salah’s contract with Liverpool is set to expire at the end of the current season. He explained that although his agent, Ramy Abbas, and Liverpool are yet to reach any conclusive decision regarding a contract renewal, he remains focused and is not distracted by the off-field uncertainty.

“We are far away from any progress so we just need to wait and see.

“The thing in my head is ‘OK, if it’s my last six months, or last year, what do you want to see in the future? Do you want to look back and say I was concerned about the contract or I was stressed’ or do you just want to say ‘OK, I had an unbelievable season’.

“That’s in my head now. All the time now. If I feel that kind of distraction, I remind myself ‘You want to look back and you had an unbelievable season’. So that’s what I want to do.” He explained.

He has been in electric form this term, scoring 17 goals in 18 league games, while also registering 13 assists. He has won 9 trophies with Liverpool which includes 1 EPL title, 1 FA Cup, 2 EFL Cups, 1 FA Community Shield, 1 UEFA Champions League title, 1 UEFA Super Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.

Source: Elvisanokyenews.com