From Our Correspondent
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), an NGO, has commended the Federal Government’s efforts at harmonising the tax collection system. It said the current system is punitive and oppressive.
TheNewsZenith reports that PLAC’s Executive Director, Clement Nwankwo, gave the commendation at the presentation of Nigeria’s human rights situation report on Monday in Abuja.
Nwankwo said the multiple taxation and the outsourcing of tax collection to private consultants had worsened small business challenges.
According to him, there is a political undertone in the current tax system.
“But ours is not to look at the politics of it but at how it impacts the citizens, by excluding low-income earners from paying tax.
“So a tax system must address a situation where taxation appears punitive. The concern is also clear: nobody should pay double taxes in two different jurisdictions.
“However, today you have a situation where a person pays tax in one state for a business and pays in another state when the government agency comes across the same business again.
“So, the effort to harmonise the tax system is key. It is a step in the right direction.
“Nigeria’s taxation system is killing initiatives; it is killing businesses and investments. There’s no way this country can develop with the nature of taxation at this time,” TheNewsZenith quotes Nwankwo as saying.
Regarding the report on human rights abuses in the country, the executive director described the findings as troubling.
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He said it was a reflection of systemic weaknesses in governance and law enforcement.
According to him, PLAC issued its human rights report for 2024 in commemoration of the Human Rights Day celebrated on Dec. 10.
He said the report highlighted issues relating to delays in prosecuting offenders, lack of transparency in investigations and an entrenched culture of impunity.
“Victims of human rights abuses face hurdles in accessing justice.
“These actions undermine Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and international commitments,” he said.
Nwankwo, therefore, called for holistic reforms, including the establishment of independent oversight units.
This unit, when set up, should monitor law enforcement agencies and ensure accountability, he added.
PLAC’s Executive Director also urged the government to prioritise the protection of vulnerable groups like women, children and internally displaced persons.
The groups require the implementation of robust social safety nets and supporting survivors of abuse and exploitation.
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