Patriotism: CSO harps on importance of tax payment

President, Civil Society Groups For Good Governance, and co-convener, Comrade Ogakwu Dominic has restated the importance of tax payment, enjoining Nigerians to be patriotic with their tax habits.

Dominic stated this in Abuja at the Civil Society Tax Compliance Advocacy Workshop and Sensitization programme organized by Civil Society Groups for good governance (CSGGG) and Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria, which held in Abuja.

He said the workshop was specifically organized to ensure that the people are well sensitized with respect to the introduction of some new taxes, stressing that such awareness would bring the people to understand the need for payment of taxes as genuine civic responsibility.

According to him, as civil society organisations will decided to engage the tax body that is the federal Inland Revenue Service, and ensure them that they are on point with what they are doing. What they are doing is to the benefit of Nigeria.

The Chairman of the occasion and the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) Dr Babatunde Fowler on said his is not satisfied with the level of awareness and taxes and taxation among the Nigerian populace.

Fowler who was represented by the Director, Efficiency Unit, Office, Mr. Faramade Ogunsanya, stated that extensive tax awareness campaign should be encouraged to enable more Nigerians know why they are paying taxes.

According to him, tax awareness is what is really required and that is why we are holding this programme today. 

He said It is very nice that the civil society has gotten up and try to assist FIRS and all tax administrators to ensure that people know about taxes, people know why they have to pay taxes.

According to him, what tax is used for so that we all put hands together to ensure that as the information goes out there then more and more people will willingly pay their taxes.

He emphasised that taxes engender the smooth running of society and make provision of necessary infrastructure easy for the government and welfare of the citizenry.

“Tax is meant to ensure that society runs smoothly and welfare is provided for all the citizenry. The idea is to put our hands together and be our brother’s keeper. If you earn a bit more, you put a little bit in the purse so that the people who earn less would have the facilities available to them. 

“That is essentially what tax is all about. In Nigeria, and in all other countries, tax is used to develop the economy, provide infrastructure for people and ensure that level of living is improved for everybody,” he said. 

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