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The Tax Payers Association of Nigeria (TAPAN) has applauded the Federal Government for the appointment of globally renowned tax consultant in a bid to target N2.9 Trillion Non-Oil; revenue in 2014.
Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had on Wednesday disclosed that the Federal Government had contracted McKinsey and Co a leading tax consultancy group to help the government work out modalities for the project.
Okojo-Iweala had said ” The FIRS has a target of of N2.2 trillion under thwe 2014 Budget and Nigeria can increase this by another N75 Billion and we hope that in the medium term we can improve further”
The association also cautioned the Government to tread with care on the issue of the Academic Staff Union of Univeristies (ASUU) which it has given an ultimatum to resume work on December 4 of get fired.
In a statement in Abuja, on Thursday signed by the Chairman Board of Trustees of TAPAN, Comrade Valentine Nzekwe, the association said the tax move by the Government would tighten the noose around tax evaders.
TAPAN decried the current situation where over 75 per cent of small scale business operators had the penchant for tax evasion in Nigeria.
The association agreed with the Finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala who said the non oil export drive would hike the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) target put at N2.2 trillion by N75 Billion.
According to TAPAN ” we agree with Dr Okonjo-Iweala on this brilliant move because one of the areas of our weakness has always been in our tax policy. With this development we will be shifting focus to the non oil sector of the economy through payment of appropriate taxes by relevant organizations.
On ASUU, TAPAN urged the Government to handle the crisis with caution, as any attempt to to force a decision on the academics may escalate the crisis
Said TAPAN” we are not happy about the protracted crisis for obvious reasons, but we think in the interest of our children and the nation both parties should tread with care. To say go back to work or be fired is not a very tactical way of resolving the crisis.”
The association added ” we want both parties to return to the negotiating table and and ensure they both shift grounds in the interest of the children who have been home for months.