*Says bills to end multiple taxation, benefit low-income earners
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), says it will translate the proposed tax reform bills and other critical national issues into 36 Nigerian languages, to enhance public understanding and engagement.
The Director-General of the agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu said this at a town hall meeting on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
He was represented by Inuwa Yusuf-Kobi, Director, Personnel, Research and Statistics, NOA headquarters, Abuja.
Issa-Onilu said the initiative would counter misinformation and promote better understanding of the tax reform,designed to simplify tax system, eliminate multiple taxation, and ease the burden on low-income Nigerians.
According to him, misinformation on social media has led to the politicisation of the tax reform bills, and stressed the need for public enlightenment through local languages and community engagement.
“We have started translating the bills into 36 Nigerian languages, and engaging people through radio programmes in local dialects, including Kanuri, Hausa, and English. We are also distributing pamphlets to ensure everyone understands the bills,” he said.
He highlighted the ongoing media engagements, including phone-in programmes on stations like Al-Barka Radio and Eagle Radio, as part of efforts to provide clarity and allow citizens to ask questions directly.
The NOA helmsman said the proposed reforms would address multiple taxation, especially in public places such as motor parks, where transport owners reportedly pay up to six different taxes to unions and agencies.
“The bill seeks to establish a single tax-collecting authority, relieving citizens of the burden of paying taxes to multiple agencies. This will also ensure transparency and accountability in tax collection,” he said.
He said the tax reform would exempt individuals earning less than N100,000 from paying taxes, while small traders and low-income workers would benefit from reduced tax rates.
“Currently, many Nigerians are overburdened by high taxes. For example, as a director, I pay over N200,000 in income tax. If this law is passed, such burdens will be significantly reduced, allowing workers to enjoy more of their earnings.
“This law will centralise tax collection, reduce leakages and ensure that funds are used for national development,” he said.
Issa-Onilu said the agency was engaging civil society organisations, traditional rulers and religious leaders in town hall meetings to sensitise them to the benefits of the tax reform.
“The feedback from these meetings has been positive. Many citizens now understand that the reforms are designed to improve their living conditions and promote fairness in the tax system,” he said.
He urged stakeholders and citizens to support the reforms, adding that public sensitisation would continue through various platforms to ensure widespread awareness.
END MULTIPLE TAXATION
Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, on Tuesday, said that the proposed tax reform bills would eliminate multiple taxation and favour low-income earners in the country.
Issa-Onilu stated this during a road show on nationwide sensitisation on security awareness and campaign against get-rich- quick syndrome and tax reform bills.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road show, which commenced from Obasanjo complex through Sabon-Gari, terminated at NOA office on Ladi-Kwali IBB Way in Minna.
NAN also reports that the theme of the road show was: “Creating Awareness, Ethical Value and National Development.”
Issa-Onilu, represented by the agency’s Assistant Director, Finance and Account, Mrs Onuoha Uchenna, said the bills aimed to reduce the burden of tax payments on low-income earners.
“The benefits of the tax reforms include no multiple payments of tax. It will be based on the money you make, and it will lessen the burden of tax payments on low-income earners,” he said.
The director-general urged Nigerians to understand the benefits of the tax reforms and not be afraid of the bills, as they were designed to benefit the less-privileged.
Also speaking, the NOA Director in Niger, Malam Yahaya Gbongbo, said that the agency’s goal was to educate citizens on five key government programmes and policies.
Gbongbo listed the issues to include: World HIV/AIDS Day, security awareness, discouraging get-rich-quick syndrome, World Human Rights Day and tax reform bills.
“We want Nigerians to understand the contents of these bills, bring their inputs and make amendments for standard bills acceptable to all,” he said.
The director called on Nigerians to read and get acquainted with the tax reform bills, adding that with the bills, there would be no more multiple payments of tax, thus making it easier for individuals and businesses.
According to him, the bills will be a relief, as they exempt low-income earners from tax, ensuring they keep more of their hard-earned money.
Gbongbo said that the reform would also make the tax system more straightforward by reducing confusion and complexity.
