PROBLEMS associated with multiple taxation are almost as old as Nigeria, yet when multiple taxation is discussed, many think they affect only businesses. We are all victims of multiple taxation, and unlike businesses that can pass on the tax to their clients, individuals bear their damaging impact directly.

The authorities do not think Nigerians are paying enough tax, so they go to great lengths to invent all manners of taxes and levies. Nigerians feel the abuses, especially as most governments do not provide the amenities for which they impose taxes. A disturbing trend in the tax regime of some States, borders on human rights violation. Some States are taxing people for providing for themselves basic services that governments do not provide. Local government councils are on rampage, imposing taxes without enabling laws.

A state government collects taxes from citizens for digging boreholes in their compounds to procure water. These places have water from public sources. In another State, government imposed N15, 000 monthly tax on owners of generating sets. Government said the money realised from this tax was used to address pollution the generators caused.

In most States, council workers could block the major roads, charging whatever they wanted as radio taxes. If their logic is followed, we must pay the tax for passing through each of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

Governments’ primary function is to provide water, power supply, security, education, health and other needs of the citizens. Citizens give politicians their votes expecting good governance. Citizens resort to procuring generators, boreholes and other necessities of modern living due to persistent failure of leadership and governance.

Imposing taxes on citizens for providing basic amenities in the face of failure of governance is inhuman, oppressive and condemnable. It worsens the already existing problems of multiple taxation. It shows that people in government are now beyond shame. Citizens are being driven to provide for themselves amenities that people in other climes take for granted because their taxpayers’ money is properly deployed. It is a pity that the various State Houses of Assembly have abdicated their duties to curb the excesses of the executive branch, and in most cases, actually pass the legislations used to oppress the people.

We call for immediate stop of obnoxious taxes in the name of internally generated revenues. Governments should provide basic amenities for the public. Governments should restrict themselves to regulating borehole drilling and the use of generators to enhance safety and protect the environment. Better still, they should provide those amenities.

Extortion cannot be legalised under any guise.

It is ridiculous for governments that fail in their duties to punish those who find ways round governments’ comatose policies.