Enugu – A cleric, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, has urged eligible taxpayers in Nigeria to pay their taxes regularly to enable the Federal Government to meet the yearnings of the people.
Chukwuma, who is the Archbishop of the Anglican Archdiocese of Enugu, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday.
“People must pay tax; overseas people pay tax to get the services (they need).
“Today, many people don’t pay tax; including the rich men, many of them don’t pay tax.
“Let people pay tax, let people also see the services.
“And let people also work hard; the problem is that we want free money; nobody wants to work. It is a pity.
“So, it is time we worked hard; and we must therefore be a productive nation rather than a consumer nation.
“If we are a productive nation, then our foreign reserves will grow; but when we are always consuming and not producing, it is a problem.
“So these are things we must do.
“And when we are producing, with the stability of power, employment will be possible.’’
Chukwuma urged government at all levels to track down and compel tax evaders to pay their taxes as and when due.
He also urged government to apply the underpayment penalty on eligible taxpayers found to be involved in paying below estimated tax.
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According to him, all leakages in tax collection should be blocked in 2016.
The cleric also advised the 36 state governments to put in place an efficient tax collection mechanism to enable them to shore up their internally generated revenue.
He said, “I am calling on the South East governors to think of ways to generate revenue with which to improve the socio-economic life of the people in addition to the provision of employment.’’ (NAN)