The senate and House of Representatives have been advised to pass the bill seeking for the establishment of Natioal Inspector General for Tax Crimes Commission (NIGTCC) before embarking on end of year holiday.
The NIGTCC bill is being sponsored in the Senate by the chief whip, Senator Orji Kalu and in the lower chamber by House spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Orji Philip Orji, a tax analyst and national coordinator; Association of Concerned Citizens of Nigeria on Revenue and Economy, (ACCNRE), 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 “NIGTCC after its enactment will rekindle the distrust and disbelief that Nigerians have in the FGN. And equally inculcate discipline amongst tax payer and the tax man (FIRS).
According to him, the NIGTCC will protect the FIRS employees improprieties and external attempts to corrupt or threaten FIRS employees.
It 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”.
Orji said “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% ratio to our GDP if the bill is passed and the body established.
Adding he said it will “Provide quality professional audit, investigative and inspection and evaluation service that promote integrity, economy and efficiency in the Nigeria tax administration.
He warned that “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”
