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By Nasir Kura
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja said the federal g overnment would continue to sensitise and encourage Nigerians to cultivate the culture of paying taxes by ensuring fair implementation policy and effective utilisation of resources.
The president, who disclosed this when he received leadership of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) at the State House, said the national tax policy document had been reviewed with the aim of institutionalising a tax payment culture within the Nigerian workforce.
He said the progress made in diversifying the economy, providing social security and securing the country can be further improved with enhanced and expanded revenue base.
“We have made some progress in the past four years. However, a lot more can still be done. A key step is to enhance and expand Government’s revenue base. Today, we still rely on oil as our main source of income. This simply is not enough to meet our infrastructure, social services and security needs,’’ he said.
Describing Nigerians as hardworking and entrepreneurial, the president said a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of tax on the economy by the populace and fair administration would help in improving government’s revenue shortfalls.
In his remarks, the president of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Chief Cyril Ikemefuna Ede, congratulated the president for winning his second term in office, assuring him of the institute’s support for a successful tenure, especially in the area of using tax to improve government’s revenue.
“Your victory is a clear sign of belief, trust and confidence that Nigerians have in you,’’ he said.
He said some higher institutions in the country had started offering taxation as a course, hoping it would also be taught in secondary schools.
He said nations can only achieve development with mobilisation of resources through taxation.
He said political leaders must set a good example for compliance on tax payment by ensuring that presentation of tax certificates remain one of the central requirements for those who want to contest elective positions.
