FCT: New board of IRS to end multiple taxation – Minister

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, has said that the With the coming on board of the newly constituted Federal Capital Territory Inland Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), that necessary machinery has been set in motion to end the regime of multiple taxation in the territory.

The FCT Administration, which is an annex of the Presidential Villa, last week, has to constitute a new board for the new management of the IRS a move that may bring to an end the leadership imbroglio in the FCT IRS.

The FCT Minister, Malam Mohammad Musa Bello stated this while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association – NECA, who paid him courtesy call.

According to a release prepared by the new CPS of the FCT Mr. Cosmas Uzodima, the Minister revealed that one of the quick wins expected from the recently reconstituted Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) will be the elimination of multiple taxation in the Territory and harmonisation of all taxes payable to government.

Malam Bello noted that the issue of multiple taxation has been of great concern to various business entities in the FCT including NECA adding that eliminating the menace would enhance the ease of doing business in the FCT.

The Minister expressed optimism that the initiative by the FCT Administration to create a one-stop window for all taxes would key into the Federal Government’s programme of improving the position of Nigeria on the World Bank “Ease of Doing Business Index,” which he noted, has been improving positively recently.

His words: “While we partner with the Chambers of Commerce, Manufacturers Association, and other stakeholders, we will also include you in the team that is working on this harmonization.”

Malam Bello commended the group for their contributions towards the making of Abuja, saying the “History of Abuja cannot be written without acknowledging the efforts of all your members.”

Speaking earlier, the leader of the Northern Group of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Alhaji Mahmud Othman informed the Minister that NECA is the umbrella body of all employers of labour in country which has been in existence for over 60 years since it was founded.

He commended the Minister for the noticeable progress which FCT has been recording since his assumption of office, urging him to keep up the good works.

Alhaji Mahmud Othman however expressed concern over the multiplicity of vehicular stickers being produced by the different Area Councils in the Territory which he said has entailed a lot of inconvenience for the association’s members.

He therefore appealed to the Minister to see to it that these taxes are harmonized since the FCT is one Territory.