The House of Representatives on Thursday being 10th October, 2024 adopt the Motion moved by Hon Peter Anekwe, Member representing the good people of Anambra East and West Federal Constituency, titled, “Motion on the Need for Government Sensitivity to the Plight of the Masses and the Call to refrain from shifting Economic Burden through unnecessary and Multiple Taxation.”
According to Hon Peter Anekwe in his Lead debate, The motion is aimed to reduce the excess taxes noted that taxation is necessary for government revenue but advocate for balance to be struck between revenue generation and the economic well-being of the citizens.
He urged the federal government and relevant authorities to be sensitive to the plight of the masses by reviewing current tax policies to prevent the imposition of unnecessary and multiple taxes, particularly on essential goods and services.
The motion mandate the House Committee on Finance and FIRS to within 3 weeks conduct a thorough review of existing tax laws and policies to streamline tax collection processes and eliminate redundant or overlapping taxes that contribute to the financial burden on citizens with a view to identifying areas of double taxation at all levels to provide relief to citizens without jeopardizing government revenue targets.
The House of Representatives resolves to Urge the federal government and relevant authorities to be sensitive to the plight of the masses by reviewing current tax policies to prevent the imposition of unnecessary and multiple taxes, particularly on essential goods and services.
The House also urged the federal government to consider alternative revenue generation strategies such as widening the tax net to capture more high income earners, strengthening enforcement of existing tax laws, and plugging leakage in the system exploring measures to increase export of cash crops and agricultural products.
The House Directs the national orientation agency (NOA) and other relevant agencies to embark on an awareness campaign to educate the public on their tax rights and responsibilities and to report any cases of exploration or unjust taxation to ombudsman;
“Call for the immediate suspension of any new tax initiatives that disproportionately affect the low-come population until a comprehensive review of their impact is conducted;
“Mandate the committee on legislative compliance to overseas the manifestation of the resolutions herein.”
