Kogiflame
Kogi state Government has said that the proposed tax reform bills are designed to streamline tax administration, ease the burden on low-income earners, and stimulate economic growth.
The executive chairman of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Sule Salihu Enehe, stated this in Lokoja during a one-day citizens’ engagement and interactive session organized by the ministry of finance, budget and economic planning.
He stated that the aim of the tax reform bills is to harmonize all the 55 tax laws into a single document for the purpose of simplicity.
According to him, the proposed Nigeria Tax bill is aimed at simplifying tax laws by making the existing 21 tax laws into a simple document, noting that the bills when finally passed into law will eradicate multiple taxations often complained about by the citizens.
He further explained that in the tax and levy approve means of collection Act, there are 9 taxes to be collected by the federal government while in the document 25 taxes are expected to be collected by state government and 21 taxes are to be collected by local government making a total of 55 taxes.
“The proposed bills is to ensure that at the end, we don’t tax poverty but to tax prosperity. If the bill sail through citizens in the civil service will never pay tax in their income again and all common misconceptions about taxes would be addressed in the bills,” he explained.
Earlier, the state commissioner for finance, budget and economic planning Asiwaju Idris Asiru, emphasized that the initiative was designed to foster collaboration between the government and citizens, ensuring their voices are heard during the formulation of the bills.
The commissioner stated that the purpose of the stakeholders engagement is to provide a platform for citizens to engage with policymakers, understand the importance of the proposed tax reform, and explore how it can benefit the state and its people.
He further assured that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance under Governor Usman Ododo’s administration.
“Tax reform plays a crucial role in ensuring fair taxation, enhancing revenue generation, and promoting economic growth in our state. Tax reforms are not just about numbers; they impact the services we deliver and the future of our economy.
“I am using this medium to encourage citizens to participate in the ongoing consultation process, offering feedback and suggestions to ensure the final bills align with the needs and aspirations of Kogi state’s residents” the commissioner said.
In his contribution, the Chairperson Kogi State NGO Network (KONGONET),
Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina described the Tax Reform Bills as a welcome development, but urged the federal government to deployed technology, saying the human elements in the country can not be trusted.
Also in his remark, the national deputy publicity secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Hon. Duro Meseko, expressed the party’s full support for President Bola Tinubu and his economic policies, emphasizing that the tax reforms, if implemented, would benefit Nigeria’s citizens.
