Presidential Committee adopts FCT for groundbreaking Tax Reform initiative
Taiwo Oyedele
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
By Philip Yatai
The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee has announced that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will serve as the model for implementing the country’s tax harmonisation efforts.
The committee’s Chairman, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, made this known during a meeting on revenue administration harmonisation in Abuja on Friday. The event, organised by the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), brought together the Area Council Chairmen of the FCT.
Oyedele clarified that harmonising and simplifying taxes would not lead to reduced revenue, as some may fear, but would instead enhance revenue generation.
“Harmonisation and simplification of taxes, as well as achieving equity and fairness in revenue administration, are key areas of reform for our committee,” he stated.
He commended the FCT-IRS for its efforts to streamline taxes within the territory and urged the FCT and other states to avoid unorthodox tax collection methods, especially on highways and streets, describing such practices as “embarrassing and unacceptable.”
Oyedele also advocated for the use of technology in revenue collection, which he said would reduce tax evasion, eliminate leakages, and improve transparency. He stressed the importance of stakeholder collaboration to ensure the success of the tax harmonisation initiative and called for a united approach to tackling the issue of multiple taxation in Nigeria.
According to him, the FCT has the potential to lead the nation in ease of doing business, urging all stakeholders to contribute to the project’s success.
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In his remarks, the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-IRS, Mr. Michael Ango, praised the Area Council Chairmen for their commitment to the harmonisation project. He noted that their support was crucial for achieving full tax harmonisation in the FCT.
Ango added that FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, is determined to boost internally generated revenue to improve infrastructure and social services for FCT residents. He emphasized that constant engagement with stakeholders would ensure alignment and success in the harmonisation process.
Ango also pledged the FCT-IRS’ commitment to implementing a robust technology platform for efficient and transparent revenue collection.
Mr. Ubokutom Nyah, Mandate Secretary for Economic Planning, Revenue Generation, and Public-Private Partnership in the FCT Administration, echoed Minister Wike’s dedication to the harmonisation drive and commended the FCT-IRS for revitalising the initiative. He urged the Area Council Chairmen to fully support the project to guarantee its success.
Representing the Area Council Chairmen, Alhaji Abdullahi Sabo, Chairman of Kuje Area Council, expressed his approval of the FCT’s selection as the model for tax harmonisation in Nigeria. He pledged the councils’ support for the successful implementation of the initiative.
Sabo also lauded the FCT-IRS for its capacity to collect revenues on behalf of the councils and underscored the importance of fairness and transparency in revenue distribution.
“We are pleased that this is happening under a committed and hardworking minister who is determined to transform the FCT,” he said. “In just one year, we have witnessed significant improvements across the territory.”
