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by Lai Deinde
For upward of 24 hours now, no word coming from the minister or the ministry refuting the stone age statement of an awkward attempt to tax beggars.
Should it remain a policy conceived by those in charge of Nigeria, also to be implemented by them on Nigerians. There are few issues I wish we jointly appraise.
TAX
An involuntary financial charge / levy imposed upon citizens and or corporate citizens for the development of the SOCIETY.
SOCIETY
The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
That is all classes of humans, from the the elite through the middle-class to those at the lowest rung on the ladder; the vulnerable poor and also those who are weak, physically, mentally and psychologically.
Who out of the perceived weakness resort to unproductive means of survival
to fend for themselves and their own dependants, the BEGGARS.
BEGGARS
A poor person who asks others or begs for money and or food.
They are about the lowest class in most societies, they depend on others to survive. Are indeed a burden on the system, yet they are entitled to existence in any society they find themselves.
Most responsible government draw up programs for them, their dependants towards their eradication ensuring their offsprings get educated, have access to healthcare in a bid to break the cycle.
NEED FOR TAX
Nigeria is indeed in a terrible economic condition, where there is need for the government to provide loads of amenities, facilities and services for the teeming population, sadly there are limited funds to provide the listed.
In view of all this, I feel the government has the potential to meet the yearnings of the citizens without subjecting the lowest class of the society to unnecessary tax burden, not to talk having to include beggars in the tax net!
GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY
# MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER
# PROTECT LIVES
# PROVIDE SOCIAL WELFARE
# PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
# PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS
# MAINTENANCE OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS
# PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
From the above listed responsibility of government to the citizens, how well can we rate govt on each of the item in uplifting the people’s lot?
Assume government is able to vigorously pursue items 3, 4 and 6 effectively.
There will be enough funds in form of tax that will be available for government.
# Improved and increased social welfare, will compel the people to reciprocate the good gesture of government, Lagos is a classic illustration on this, as the number of those who pay tax without compulsion have increased tremendously.
# Promotion of economic development is visible, yet there is need to amongst other things improve access to single digit loans for small and medium scale entrepreneurs.
Small and medium scale entrepreneurs, the world over drives economies of states to enviable level.
# Employment opportunities, where the citizens experience outright preference for foreigners over them by the government leaves much to be desired.
There is need for protection of citizens rights in the workplace.
There is also need to ensure the employment of citizens over foreigners, to enhance their technical skills, improve their cash flow and general wellbeing.
Outside technical personnel, foreigners working in administrative, accounting and related humanities need not get priority over citizens.
The listed and more are the expectations of Nigerians.
MODE OF TAXATION
Everything is digitalised, nothing is left out of technological revolution.
On a lighter mood, I want put it to our dear IT conscious and compliant minister, how she intends to mop up tax out the     ” ALMAJIRIS”?
Layi Deinde 2017
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