…To net N1bn from table water

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS State government has commenced moves aimed at harmonising collection of taxes, levies and fees by all revenue generation agencies at both the state and local government levels. This came just as stakeholders in table water production in the state assured the state government of generating N1billion revenue annually from water vendors if a well harmonised tax system is put in place.

taxation symbol

Commissioner for Finance, Akinyemi Ashade, speaking at the 2017 Tax and Revenue Stakeholders Forum, said the measure to harmonise taxes became necessary following complaints from citizens of the state, particularly the business communities on multiple taxations from different tiers of government.  He said: “Government is concerned about public complaints on issues bothering on multiple taxations in the state.

We are here today to deliberate, resolve and fashion out a way of harmonising the collection of taxes, levies and fees by all revenue generation agencies of government in the state and local government areas saddled with the responsibility of tax collections and generation.”

Ashade said the meeting provided an opportunity to address areas of conflict, streamline revenue collection between the state and the local governments and set up a proper channel of collection and billings, adding, “The state government is passionate about providing an enabling environment for business growth for the people and therefore must ensure decorum on the way government officials carry out their duties.Revenue collection should not be at the detriment of the people and the era of harassment of people by revenue officials, particularly in local government areas will be put to an end.”

In her remark, National President of Association of Table Water Producers, Mrs. Clementini   Ativie, said the association has about 2,500 members, adding that the challenges of multiple taxations had been giving members concern

According to her many are already planning to move out of the state to other neighbouring states, particularly, Ogun State.  She lamented that several government officials, especially those at the Local Government Council level, normally collect series of taxes from them for which receipts were not issued.