Conference identifies Govt’s lack of transparency as reason for poor tax culture in Nigeria
By Oswald Agwu
Poor tax paying culture among citizens in Nigeria has been attributed to lack of transparency and accountability in the utilization of tax payers money by the government.
The conclusion was reached at the 4th Edition of the Blakey’s National Tax Conference held Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Pholax Hotel and Suites, Anthony Village, Lagos.
The event was organised by Blakey Ijezie Foundation as part of its contributions towards establishing effective and vibrant tax culture in Nigeria.
In a keynote address titled “The Game is about to change”, delivered by Blakey Ijezie, he lamented that taxpayers’ money in Nigeria are rarely seen at work, adding that the citizens pay tax and also struggle to provide for themselves basic amenities.
Ijezie recommended that government should be transparent and publish detailed information on tax collection and application of the revenue generated on a regular basis as a mark of accountability and fiscal responsibility.
This, according to him would encourage voluntary compliance to tax payment by citizens.
He further identified corruption by political office holders who inflate costs of contracts and gift themselves exotic vehicles at the expense of tax payers without considering the welfare of the tax paying citizens as a major discouragement.
Ijezie stated: “When people have to pay taxes and also provide their own infrastructure, this effectively increases tax rates and costs to taxpayers.
“Never in the history of mankind has politicians set out to steal so much with audacity from their people as Nigerian politicians are doing.
“They continue to use taxpayers’ money to buy N160m SUVs for themselves… and steal our Commonwealth until poverty overtook the taxpayers.
“I agree that it pays to pay your tax, generally.
“But is the same applicable in Nigeria where the taxes are frittered away by government through corruption and wastefulness while the taxpayers pine for basic necessities?”
Ijezie who maintained that the absence of transparency in Contract awards through competitive bidding is a gross violation of Public Procurement Act of 2007 as amended, called on President Tinubu to suspend further action on Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road until all basic questions bordering on the real cost of the project and other grey issues are addressed. He insisted that any thing short of that tantamount to defrauding Nigerians through dubious contracts.
He finally called on the Taiwo Oyedele Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy & Tax Reforms to hasten action on its assignment so as to save Nigeria’s declining GDP ratio.
The Blakey’s National Tax Conference series has over the years become one of the activities used regularly to educate and inform taxpayers of the need to embrace voluntary compliance by filing and paying their taxes promptly and keeping informed of the various changes in the Tax Laws regularly.
The Conferences are organized to also sensitize and deepen the culture of taxation amongst the taxpayers and the general public.
•Photo Caption: The Chief Host, Chief Blakey Okwudili Ijezie, FCA; the Chairman, Dr. Oluwafemi Babalola; a Guest Speaker, Pastor Felix Jarikre; and a Special Guest, Prince Oc-Eronini
