Tax reform: NLC makes case for more dialogue, input from workers

…Launches 10 CNG buses for South West

By Bimbola Oyesola

Against the backdrop of divergent views on the tax reform proposed by the Presidency, the Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) has reiterated the need for more dialogue with the organized labour and their affiliates to enable members make their input.

President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, speaking at the weekend in Ibadan during a dialogue on the tax reform bill organised by the NLC Central Working Committee (CWC) and the  launching of ten compressed natural gas, (CNG) buses donated to the South West states, stated that some aspects of the tax reform bill needed clarifications from government for better understanding.

“I will implore everybody to read and understand what is imbedded in the tax reform bill, I think it’s all over the internet now on Google and social media. Also, as a matter of fact, federal government did not include NLC in the dialogue of the bill,” he said.

Ajaero implored members of the public to endeavour to go through the tax reform bill to prevent misinterpretation, which could trigger misinformation.

Earlier, in a lecture organized by the congress, a professor of Accounting and Financial Development, Godwin Oyedokun, explained that the tax reform bill needed to be understood by Nigerians to avoid misinterpretation.

Professor Oyedokun maintained that tax was inevitable and must be embraced by all for the development of any country.

“Rejection of the tax reform bill by the labour unions in the country would not solve the issues of double taxation or high percentage deduction on Personal Income Tax.

“I will call on federal government to invest more on infrastructural development as a way of improving the standard of living of average citizens,” Oyedokun stated.

Professor Oyedokun, however, encouraged Nigerians to acquaint themselves with the benefits of the tax bill.

However, while inaugurating the ten CNG buses donated to the South West region, Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde applauded NLC for the gesture.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Bayo Lawal, the governor called on NLC to get more of the CNG buses for the use of workers and people of the state.