The National Coordinator of the Association of Concerned Citizens of Nigeria on Revenue and Economy, (ACCNRE), Orji Philip Orji, has called on the National Assembly to pass the bill seeking to establish the National Inspector General for Tax Crimes Commission (NIGTCC) before its break at the end of the year.
The NIGTCC bill is sponsored in the Senate by the chief whip, Senator Orji Kalu, and in the House of Representatives by its Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Orji, a tax analyst, who made the call at a briefing at the National Assembly said the body will entrench a transparent, efficient and a fair taxation system in Nigeria.
He said the Bill will “Provide policy direction, conduct, supervise and coordinate audits and investigations related to FIRS programmes and operations.
“Review existing and proposed legislation and regulations related to FIRS programmes and operations and make recommendations concerning the impact of such legislations or regulations, promote economy and efficiency in the administration of the tax laws.
“Inform the auditor general and the legislative congress of problems and deficiencies identified and of the progresses made in resolving them.
“It’s the duty of the legislators to fast track the passage of NIGTCC bill into law as the watchdog in our tax administration, to safe the lives of our unborn generations. Because the MPs cannot leave their legislative duties to engage in the day to day 24/7 oversight of the FIRS.
“We have the market size as an advantage. We have the untapped areas, such as international taxation, property tax, proper remittance of withholding taxes, VAT and consumption taxes with the modern information technology.”
He said the nation will witness a tremendous inflow of tax revenue of over 30 percent ratio to GDP if the bill is passed and the body established.
He added that it will “Provide quality professional audit, investigative and inspection and evaluation service that promote integrity, economy and efficiency in the Nigeria tax administration.”
He said a dishonest, regressive and weak taxation system is a threat against humanity, economy, security and democracy.
“In that regard, our expectations for a performing president come 2023 will amount to nothing without a restructured, proactive taxation system that is transparent and accountable,” he said.