News
Senate Kicks As Nigeria Lost N17trn To Tax Waivers
By Chukwuka Kanu
The Senate Committee on Finance on Monday frowned at the N17 trillion the federal government lost to tax waivers within the last five years.
It urged the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to suspend the tax waivers and substitute it with a rebating system.
The committee’s chairman, Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger) during the 2024 budget presentation of FIRS at the National Assembly, said the tax waivers, which he said have been abused, should be suspended.
“Your projection of N19 trillion as total tax collection for 2024 is good when compared to N11.16 trillion achieved in 2023 but the senate believes that you can do more even to the tune of N30 trillion if required measures are put in place.
“The Senate urges you to look at the direction of tax waivers largely being abused with attendant and avoidable losses being incurred every year.
“Available records show that within the last five years, about N17 trillion have been lost by the country to tax waivers.
“It should be suspended and possibly substituted with a rebating system,” he said.
The chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, who projected N19.4 trillion as the targeted tax collection for 2024, insisted that the fresh N2.7 trillion tax credit for road construction by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) should be stopped.
He told members of the committee that to save Nigerians from multiple taxation, the FIRS, in collaboration with the panel constituted by President Bola Tinubu, would reduce the 62 different taxes to 8.
“We are already consulting and engaging the state government on it. At the end of the day, we won’t have more than eight or nine taxes that the state and federal government would be collecting,” he said.
On controversy trailing the implementation of the tax credit scheme for road construction by NNPCL, the FIRS boss insisted that the N2.5 trillion earlier committed to it must be fully implemented before thinking of any fresh one.
News
Reps Pass Bill to Establish More Specialist Eye Care Centres in Nigeria
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives at the plenary on Wednesday passed through second reading, a Bill seeking to amend the National Eye centre Act, 2004, to provide for the establishment of more specialist eye care centres.
The proposed legislation was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Hon. Babajimi Benson and 5 other lawmakers.
Leading the debate on its general principles, Kalu noted that the bill seeks to enhance access to qualitative eye care services across the six geo-political zones of the nation.
According to him, the proposed amendments seek to address the pressing need for more specialist eye care centres to cater for the growing population and address the rising cases of eye diseases in the country.
Making reference to reports, he lamented that preventable and treatable eye conditions are a leading cause of disability in Nigeria, with cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors remaining prevalent in many parts of the country, especially the rural areas where access to specialized care is limited.
He expressed optimism that the proposed amendments will rectify this situation by expanding the establishment of National Eye Centres to strategic locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
He added that by doing so, we aim to provide a framework that will enhance and improve access to quality eye care, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind due to geographical barriers.
Kalu said, “I rise to lead the debate on the general principles of a Bill for an Act to amend the National Eye Centre Act, Cap N38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which seeks to enhance access to qualitative eye care services across the six geo-political zones of our beloved nation. The proposed amendments seek to address the pressing need for more specialist eye care centres to cater for the growing population and address the rising cases of eye diseases in the country. The Bill was read for the first time on Wednesday, 20thDecember, 2023.
“As we are all aware, access to quality healthcare services, especially in specialised areas like eye care, is crucial for the well-being of our citizens. The statistics reveal that preventable and treatable eye conditions are a leading cause of disability in Nigeria, with cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors remaining prevalent in many parts of the country, especially the rural areas where access to specialized care is limited. Unfortunately, the existing National Eye Centre in Kaduna, though commendable in its efforts, is unable to adequately meet the eye care needs of our vast and diverse nation. This inadequacy has led to disparities in access to eye care services, particularly for those in remote or underserved areas.
“The proposed amendments, thus aim to rectify this situation by expanding the establishment of National Eye Centres to strategic locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country. By doing so, we aim to provide a framework that will enhance and improve access to quality eye care, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind due to geographical barriers. We hope to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location, can access quality eye care services. This is not just a matter of healthcare; it is a matter of equity and social justice. This Bill which seeks to enhance and improve access to quality eye care in Nigeria has the following key provisions.
“The creation of 5 additional Specialist Eye Care Centres spread across the remaining 5 geopolitical zones of Nigeria not originally covered by the principal legislation which only provided for an Eye Care Centre in Kaduna, North West Nigeria. The establishment of separate Boards to govern each centre and academic committees to oversee academic affairs. These bodies will not only ensure effective management and coordination of the Centres’ activities by overseeing their day-to-day operations, but shall also drive research and educational initiatives in ophthalmology, thereby fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in eye care. In presenting this bill, we are reaffirming our commitment to the visual health and well-being of every Nigerian. By establishing additional centers, we can decentralize eye care services, reduce travel costs for patients, and ultimately protect and preserve the precious gift of sight for all citizens. Honourable Colleagues, I urge you all to support this Bill as it represents a significant step towards improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria, particularly in the critical area of eye care. Together, let us illuminate the path to a future where quality eye care is not a luxury but a fundamental right for every Nigerian.”
Thereafter the bill was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abass, GCON who presided over the session and it was passed and referred to the committee on speciality Healthcare.
News
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