Vice President Yemi O sin bajo on Friday urged African tax administrators to develop more robust tax administration systems.

Osinbajo spoke when he received a delegation of the African Tax Administration (ATAF) Forum, led by its chairman, Mr Gershem Pasi, at the Presidential Villa.

According to the vice president, taxation plays a critical role in defining government accountability and directs the society in a positive direction.

Osinbajo also commended the existence of such a forum.

“People don’t pay taxes, it also means they do not hold the leadership accountable.’’

He added that when people don’t pay taxes “they don’t often feel a sense of entitlement to the resources and corruption is allowed.”

Prof. Osinbajo explained that the business of taxation is a compact between the government and the people.

He observed that countries that export commodities and are involved in the extractive industries, such as Nigeria, had focused only on the revenues from such sources and had not benefited from taxation.

Osinbajo stated that people should be made to appreciate that government will do what it is supposed to do by providing services and creating an enabling environment.

“Very often you hear people say ‘we don’t pay taxes because we don’t see the services,’’ but “If government takes its responsibilities seriously it is easier for people to pay taxes,” Osinbajo explained.

Earlier, Pasi had told the vice president that the group just concluded a workshop in Nigeria and thanked the government for its role in the formation of the forum and in hosting the workshop.

He said that among the other activities of the forum was addressing the problem of illicit financial outflows from the continent, especially after the African Union report on the matter.

Pasi is the Commissioner-General of Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).

Chief executives of national revenue agencies and tax policy makers from 28 African countries established ATAF in 2009 as a platform for the promotion of mutual cooperation among African tax administrators and other relevant stakeholders.

Pasi was accompanied by several other chief executives of national revenue agencies across Africa, including Mr Babatunde Fowler, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services. (NAN)

http://sunnewsonline.com/osinbajo-urges-africa-nations-to-develop-robust-tax-administration-systems/?

Listen to what the 'mere commissioner' is saying.....

Anyway, APC has outlined their agenda - CHANGE FOR THE WORSE!

you never produce anything,
na tax you wan collect!

I agree 100%. There needs to be a system of taxation in Nigeria especially. In fact I saw an imposing construction in central area Abuja that was to house something related to taxation . I was glad when I saw that because it means finally they know what other 'developed' nations run on.

This VP likes tax

Okay

lie lie confused pastor

tit:
you never produce anything,
na tax you wan collect!

When a booby is allowed to comment on NL, this is what you get

figure head v.p

tit:
you never produce anything,
na tax you wan collect!

hehe

This is just a text book lecture though Mr VP is right.
However we need more action than words, it's always easier said than done.

ok

Why una no come take my ATMs and withdraw all my money since the heavy monthly tax deductions from my monthly pay is not enough for una...

Awon ole jaguda ologbo iya aje....

we need robust petrol and electricity distribution first...put your mouth where your money is...

good increase tax, force them to pay, so they think properly when electing leaders. oil money no allow us think, that's why a non salary receiving ewarrior ediot will question me on what my business is with a state that's different from my origin or residence.

okay

Mr TAX TAX TAX... He'll never encourage African leaders to encourage industrialisation and local productions for an improved GDP and growth through which taxes will be joyfully remitted.

The ones we've been paying. What have they been doing with it?

Na wa ooo

what have they done with all our taxes they have collected since they assumed office?

I agree with him to be honest.... Cos when you earn 20k and government deducts 2k tax, you'd want to see what the money was used for.

The government would be held accountable by YOU.

OlujobaSamuel:
good increase tax, force them to pay, so they think properly when electing leaders. oil money no allow us think, that's why a non salary receiving ewarrior ediot will question me on what my business is with a state that's different from my origin or residence.

It's not even about increasing tax it is about collecting tax and tracking it's use for the required services and amenities of any country or nation. This should be nationwide and made law. From employees and employers, businesses and organisations as well as churches and mosques......they all should be paying tax. It can be nominal but in a nation of 170 million it will amount to an ever flowing resource to be used in building Nigeria as a nation and country.

This will then form all taxpayers into citizens that legitimately demand provision of services and other things in response to tax paid instead of demanding to be breastfed by the FG who confidently refuses each time

The saying he who pays the piper dictates the tune is still true if it is a multitude (170 m) demanding the same thing. The taxpayer demands not begs or pleads because they simply have a voice that governments must listen to. The FG listens to the oil companies because of the money they receive and that is their power. The FG will have to consider a taxpaying populace too once they begin to actually RELY on them.

That is FACT anywhere in the world and it will not be different in Nigeria if people could simply look at the bigger picture.

Ndi oshi

Operation milk the poor dry is a lucrative biz.

TrollTrap:
I agree with him to be honest.... Cos when you earn 20k and government deducts 2k tax, you'd want to see what the money was used for.

The government would be held accountable by YOU.

Please educate us how we can hold them accountable so that we can start from the failed campaign promises.

londoner:
I agree 100%. There needs to be a system of taxation in Nigeria especially. In fact I saw an imposing construction in central area Abuja that was to house something related to taxation . I was glad when I saw that because it means finally they know what other 'developed' nations run on.

Which of the "developed" countries have you been to? Before you comment again do a google check on what those countries do for their people before taxing them. Because you benefit from this scam you agree even if they defile your wife.

This Osibanjo and tax sha, make we dey careful o

African leaders are not performing and they are thieves, why should the suffering masses give them their hard earned money

TrollTrap:
I agree with him to be honest.... Cos when you earn 20k and government deducts 2k tax, you'd want to see what the money was used for.

The government would be held accountable by YOU.

so you mean you have not been paying tax since?

Or you just want to comment?