President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday tasked the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to work towards widening the nation’s tax net, rather than overburdening only a few people and business concerns.
Lawan, who was Guest Speaker at the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Audit and Recovery of back years Stamp Duties and the formal launching of the adhesive stamp for stamp duty collection in Nigeria by the FIRS, expressed concern that many who should pay taxes are not captured in the tax net.
He said the Senate is ready to support the agency at all times, just as it is aware of the various challenges faced by the FIRS in its efforts to rejig Nigeria’s tax administration, especially the global challenge arising from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Describing the recently released first quarter score-card of the FIRS as impressive, the Senate President said it an indication that the current leadership of FIRS is working, and “an indication that agencies of government, if given the necessary all round support and collaboration, will be able to deliver excellent results.
“We will continue to acknowledge, encourage and support the initiatives and efforts of revenue generating agencies of government to improve their revenue collection, especially in these trying times.
“The Senate and the National Assembly will continue to provide the necessary legislative backings and oversight functions that will help maximise the revenue of government and ensure that government is better positioned to deliver on its mandate,” Lawan said.