NEWS
Tax Reforms Not Aimed At Impoverishing Any Part Of Nigeria, Scrapping Agencies – Presidency
The transformative tax bill before the National Assembly is not aimed at impoverishing any part of Nigeria, neither will it be scrapping certain government agencies.
The Presidency, made the clarification in a statehouse statement issue on his verified social media handles Monday night, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga wrote, “Since the public debate around the transformative tax bills before the National Assembly began in the last few weeks, various political actors and commentators have tried to obfuscate the facts, deliberately misinforming and misleading the public.
“Unfortunately, most reactions are not grounded in facts, reality, or sufficient knowledge of the bills. While some commentators have attempted to incite the people against lawmakers, others have polarized one section of the country against another.
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“The tax reform bills will not make Lagos or Rivers more affluent and other parts of the country, as recklessly canvassed, poorer. The bills will not destroy the economy of any section of the country. Instead, they aim to enhance the quality of life for Nigerians, especially the disadvantaged, who are trying to make a living.
“Contrary to the lies being peddled, the bills do not suggest that NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA will cease to exist in 2029 after the passage of the bills.
“Government agencies, such as NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA, are funded through budgetary provisions with company income tax and other taxes paid by the same businesses that are being overburdened with the special taxes.
“One reason President Bola Tinubu embarked on the Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms is the need to streamline tax administration in Nigeria and make the operating environment conducive for businesses.
“For decades, businesses, investors, and private sector players in Nigeria have complained of being overburdened by a myriad of taxes and levies, including those earmarked to fund various government agencies and initiatives.
“The multiple taxes complicate the economic environment, making Nigeria uncompetitive for investment and preventing many businesses from growing or continuing their operations. Some companies have had to make the rational decision to relocate to other countries. We can not continue on this path or wait for 20 years if this country is to deliver the prosperity we need for our people.
“The proposal, as contained in section 59(3) of the Nigeria Tax Bill, only seeks to consolidate some of the earmarked taxes imposed on companies and replace them with a single tax to be shared with the key agencies as beneficiaries in a phased manner until 2030.
“The time frame offers ample opportunity for the affected agencies to explore other funding sources in addition to budgetary allocations in line with the constitution and international best practices.
“It is a misrepresentation of facts to conclude that changing an agency’s funding source amounts to scrapping it. None of the countries leading globally in education, science, engineering, or information technology have similar earmarked taxes.
“The government imposes major taxes, be it income tax, consumption tax, or other taxes, to channel resources to its areas of priority at the time. Imposing a separate tax to fund an agency is an aberration that has yet to yield results despite the huge burden on businesses. The tax bill seeks to address this problem.
“Relevant stakeholders and public analysts owe it a duty to properly educate themselves about the bills’ contents and avoid misleading the public for any reason. We may be entitled to our opinions, but such views must be informed and based on facts, not emotions targeted at inflaming passions.
“In a period like this, when our people across the country look up to leaders for guidance and direction on matters of public importance, such as the Tax Reform Bills, leaders should be more measured in their public utterances to avoid heating the polity and polarising the country unduly.
“President Tinubu welcomes the public interest these bills have generated. He encourages leaders across the country, including Governors, Traditional rulers, Civil Society Activists, Students, trade associations, professional associations, and the general public, to take advantage of the Public Hearings that the National Assembly will organise to present their views on how best to reform our taxes and fiscal regime.
“What is never in doubt is the imperative of changing the existing tax laws and administration that have become obsolete and unhelpful in achieving the growth and development we desire for our country.”
A tragic crash involving a small plane near Copake, New York, has claimed the lives of all six people aboard.
The aircraft, a Mitsubishi MU2B40, went down in a field approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Columbia County Airport on Saturday afternoon, authorities confirmed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash, with spokesperson Todd Inman stating that the incident is classified as a “fatal crash.”
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While Inman did not specify the number of deaths, the New York Times, citing a family member, reported that all six occupants perished.
The victims were identified as pilot Michael Groff, a neurosurgeon, his wife Joy Saini, a surgeon, their two children, and the children’s partners.
According to the Times, the family was traveling to a 25th birthday party and a Passover celebration.
Inman described the plane’s descent, saying it was “intact as it came down” before the impact caused it to “compress, buckle, and embed into the terrain.”
Before the crash, Groff, an experienced pilot, had reported a missed approach to the airport and requested guidance for another landing attempt, Inman explained.
He added that visibility had worsened before the crash occurred.
The plane’s cockpit had been recently updated, and the aircraft was in good condition prior to the crash.
This incident follows a string of other aviation tragedies.
Just last week, a helicopter crash in the Hudson River resulted in six fatalities.
In January, 67 people were killed in a collision between a military helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington state.
A light aircraft crash in Florida on Friday also claimed three lives when the plane developed mechanical issues shortly after takeoff.
The NTSB continues its investigation into the cause of the crash near Copake.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has raised the alarm over unapproved visits to the state, warning that his administration cannot guarantee the safety of any individual or group who enters the state without prior notice.
The warning was contained in a statement released on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, under the heading: “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visit to Benue State.”
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In the statement, Governor Alia stressed that he was not expecting any “August visitor” and disclosed that his schedule was currently occupied with “high-profile meetings with key state actors to discuss critical issues affecting our state.”
The governor advised that any person or group planning to visit Benue, especially those whose presence could spark political gatherings, should obtain official clearance before making such trips.
“For anyone considering a visit to Benue State without the Governor’s knowledge, it is imperative to reconsider such plans, as the safety and security of individuals in this regard cannot be guaranteed,” the statement warned.
Governor Alia also addressed those intending to visit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state, stating that prior approval must be sought and obtained from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).
The statement further urged both security operatives and members of the public to remain vigilant and uphold peace across the state.
The wave of deadly attacks in Plateau State has continued unabated, with at least 40 people confirmed dead following a fresh assault on Zike community in Kimakpa, Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area.
The attack, which took place in the early hours of Monday, left dozens of residents dead and several others with gunshot wounds. .According to local sources, gunmen stormed the community and opened fire indiscriminately on people fleeing for safety.
A community leader, Wakili Tongwe, confirmed the incident in a phone interview with Channels Television.
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He explained that he, along with a team of vigilantes and some security operatives, had been patrolling another area when the attackers struck.
“The attackers invaded the village in the early hours of Monday and shot sporadically at residents who were scampering for safety after hearing gunshots,” Tongwe said.
He added that although security personnel and vigilantes engaged the assailants and eventually repelled them, the attackers had already caused significant loss of life.
“About thirty-six persons were shot dead and four others died later,” he said.
Several other victims who sustained gunshot wounds are currently receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
Monday’s attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have rocked Plateau State in recent months.
Less than two weeks ago, a similar assault in communities across Bokkos Local Government Area left 52 people dead.
For years, Plateau State has struggled with violence rooted in land and resource disputes, often between farmers and herders. However, authorities believe the recent pattern of attacks points to something far more coordinated.
Governor Caleb Muftwang, reacting to the rising spate of killings, described the violence as an act of terrorism targeting the state’s population.
“I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists,” the governor said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“The question is, who are the persons behind the organisers of this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help us to unravel.”
The governor also raised concerns over the growing occupation of communities by armed groups.
“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local governments,” Muftwang said.
“They have been taken over, renamed, and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy.”
In response to the growing insecurity, the Federal Government has vowed to clamp down on the perpetrators.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical units to the affected areas to restore peace.
Despite repeated government pledges, the cycle of violence in Plateau shows no sign of ending.
Over 200 people were killed during a Christmas Day attack in December 2023, while at least 40 others lost their lives in a similar incident in Wase last May.
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