Contrary to earlier reports which indicated that a committee in the ongoing national conference in Abuja recommended that religious groups across the country should be subject to tax. The deputy leader of the South east delegates at the the conference, Professor Obiora Ike at the weekend debunked the report.
Prof. Ike who is a member of the religious committee at the conference stated this while briefing reporters on happenings at the national conference. He said no committee recommended taxation for any religious group, noting that the committee saddled with the responsibility of discussing such issues – committee on religion – did not even discuss the issue.
Ike, a Roman Catholic cleric said religious institutions voluntary, non-governmental and non-profit making institutions that add value to the people.
However Ike said when the committee on religion submitted its report to the general assembly of the conference, a member asked whether religious institutions should not pay tax if they engaged in revenue generating ventures.
He also stated that if religious institutions go into business and register them, there was need for such institutions to pay tax on the businesses if the ventures are not for religious purposes.(Leadership)
