The position of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on the proposed tax reform bills has not contradicted that of the Federal Government, the Chairman of the agency, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, has clarified.
Shehu who spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a press briefing in his office said reports alleging the contrary were “grossly misleading, false, and malicious.”
The Chairman who said the RMAFC was fully engaged in the reform process by the present administration’s vision for an equitable and sustainable fiscal framework in the country.
Noting that the proposed tax reform bills were initiated to address the country’s fiscal challenges, Shehu said the Commission has no reason to oppose the government’s strong commitment to repositioning Nigeria’s revenue base through bold reform initiatives.
“The proposed tax reform bills are significant steps toward integrating untapped revenue sources, enhancing Nigeria’s revenue-to-GDP ratio, and positioning the country favourably among nations with high fiscal performance,” Dr. Shehu stated.
Regardless, he acknowledge the controversy and debate generated by the issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) allocation and derivation, pointing out that the Commission was proactively involved in ensuring that global best practices guided the reform process.
“As a responsible and patriotic institution, the RMAFC submitted a comprehensive memorandum that emphasizes adherence to global best practices in the tax reform process. This position aligns seamlessly with Mr. President’s vision,” he added.
The RMAFC, he maintained, has never opposed the tax reform bills, rather provided professional advice to support government’s effort to refine the process.
He called on Nigerians to disregard reports in the media suggesting the Commission’s opposition to the bills and urged the media to uphold ethical standards in their reportage of sensitive national issues.
“It is disheartening to note that, despite our explicit support for the proposed legislation, some individuals have chosen to peddle falsehoods for reasons best known to them,” he said.
“These inaccurate statements can undermine the ongoing efforts by patriotic Nigerians tirelessly to support the President’s vision for the country.”
The Chairman further explained that the proposed tax reform bills were currently undergoing consultations, with inputs sought from expert bodies and called for caution against either misinterpretation or misrepresentation of professional advice during the process.
Insisting the Commission was a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s fiscal framework, the Chairman said the Commission takes the responsibility of providing expert advice seriously, by working closely with the National Assembly to ensure the proposed legislation was robust, effective, and aligned with global best practices.
He noted that the proposed bills were aimed at promoting fiscal equity, reduce tax evasion, and increase revenue generation, objectives that align with the RMAFC’s mandate.
On concerns about potential impacts of the proposed tax reforms on businesses and individuals, Shehu assured stakeholders that the Commission remained committed to addressing these issues through constructive engagement.
Stressing the importance of factual information to avoid unnecessary controversies, the Chairman called on all Nigerians to support the fiscal reforms.
