Tax Reform: Northern Group kicks against VAT hike
By Samuel Luka
Group under the platform of Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has opposed the bill that seeks to impose tax on family wealth or inheritance of Nigerians.
The National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Aliyu Jamilu Charanchi who disclosed this while addressing a press conference in Bauchi at the weekend commended the Nigerian Governor’s Forum on their stand against VAT hike.
“CNG also completely rejects tax on Family Wealth or Inheritance, it is also against our religion and contradicts cultural values”, Comrade Charanchi said.
He reasoned that: “With soaring food inflation now at about alarming 40% which has made millions of people food insecure, we not only reject an increase in VAT, but proposed a reduction from 7.5% to 3.%”.
The coalition which sternly warned against any attempt at increase given the prevailing harsh economic conditions that make life miserable for Nigerians, said it is high time that the federal government encourage and support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), rather than suffocating them with unnecessary taxes and exploitation.
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Comrade Charanchi further stressed that the Coalition rejects the proposed centralization of tax collection which would stop Nigeria Customs Service from collecting excise duties and import VAT as well as make the new Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) the sole collector of Royalties from the upstream oil sector.
“That the purported 13% of the taxes that are said to be paid for consultancy services in the name of reform is unacceptable, as it appears to prioritize personal gains of a select few who feed fat on our common wealth over the collective good of the people”, the group said.
It urged the National Assembly, which he observed that all eyes are on them to be brave and stand firm to protect the interests of the downtrodden just as governors have courageously fought their battle which led to a new, fair and acceptable VAT formula.
The group which reminded Senators and house of representatives members, especially those from North that are supporting the bills without recourse to amending the identified loopholes or, being indifferent to know that their action is a crime against the people, threatened to mobilise the people to confront them at the appropriate time.
The CNG called on the legislators to ensure that all controversial aspects of the bills that are detrimental to Nigerians are thoroughly and carefully examined and expunged before considering any further action.
