Chairman, Project National Steering Committee of the Market – Trader Integrated Revenue Management System, Ambassador Olakunle Johnson said, the proposed enumeration of traders across 774 local governments across the federation meant to identify fake tax collectors.
Ambassador Johnson who is also the National Secretary of the Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN), disclosed this while speaking with the crew of naijatodaynew.com
He noted that, the enumeration of traders which is going to be first of its kinds would take place first across the six (6) geopolitical zones (southwest, southeast, south-south, Northwest, Northeast and North-central respectively.
Johnson stressed that, it would kick off in Southwest before advancing to other geopolitical zones.
Adding that, it is going to be a laudable programme which efforts and energy would be sincerely dissipated to ensure that all Traders in Nigeria are all captured.
On purpose of enumeration, Chairman, Project National Steering Committee reiterated that the engagement would help the leadership of Markets to identify fake tax collectors who are fond of exploiting the traders.
He stressed that many unknown and fake tax collectors had in the past collected huge amount of money as compulsory levies on goods sold at respective markets across Nigeria but it is worrisome and heart disheartening that they are all fake tax collectors with no connection with governments at any level.
Johnson said, apart from the fact that the exercise would help them to know and have accurate figures of all members, it would also aid them all to pay tax to government’s direct purse in order to enjoy benefits attached to the programme.
He said, market traders were losing goods and properties as a result of inferno and other catastrophes, but which governments could not respond, sequel to failure to trace their evidences of tax payments.
Johnson maintained that, if they are able to pay taxes via cashless arrangement to government’s purse, the Internal Generated Revenue(IGR) of the latter will be improved to have enough fund to help all traders on any issue and situation.
He disclosed that, the agents to be used for the engagement would be trained on techniques of the exercise before going to fields and the materials to use while the programme begins are ranged from tables, chairs and umbrellas among others.
Johnson asked all Market leaders and traders to cooperate with the agents on the task for its smooth running and prevention of time wastage.
