Members of the House of Representatives have called on the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, to prevent the imposition of excessive taxes on Nigerians.
This appeal was made on Thursday, October 10, after a motion was introduced by Peter Aniekwe and co-sponsored by House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda along with four other representatives.
The lawmakers urged the federal government to refrain from increasing the economic strain on citizens by introducing unnecessary taxes, and instead to explore innovative revenue-generating methods.
While presenting the motion, Aniekwe emphasized that the burden of multiple taxes, levies, and charges imposed by different levels of government only exacerbates the hardships faced by the populace.
Highlighting the financial struggles of many Nigerians, who find themselves in low-income brackets, Aniekwe asserted that the government must find a balance to benefit its citizens.
He stated, “The government’s core duty is to alleviate the economic difficulties encountered by the masses, ensuring that policies foster economic growth, social welfare, and prosperity for all.”
The motion put forth by the group of five lawmakers received approval from the House of Representatives, which urged the federal government to pursue alternative methods for revenue generation.
Additionally, the House Committee on Finance and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) were tasked with reviewing existing tax policies to eliminate redundant or overlapping taxation.