Chairman of the Presidential Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele has disclosed the committee’s proposal to train area boys for tax collection, offering them decent salaries to redirect their focus.
Oyedele made this revelation during an exclusive interview on Channels Television, he emphasised the need to expedite the implementation of the committee’s recommendations to alleviate the burden on small businesses and the underprivileged.
Oyedele acknowledged the public’s impatience and explained that fiscal policy matters take time but assured that progress is underway. He revealed that the committee submitted its first report in October, featuring over 20 recommendations, of which only three have been fully implemented to date.
The focal point for implementation is the Emergency Economic Intervention Bill, aimed at amending multiple laws to enhance price stability, alleviate costs for businesses, and provide relief to those most affected. Oyedele emphasised the urgency of passing the bill through the National Assembly for swift positive impacts.
In an excerpt from the interview, Oyedele articulated, “We’re also thinking about how you bring all stakeholders on board because at the end of the day, if you stop the livelihood of anyone, whether they are earning it legitimately or not, you can create crises that would be difficult to manage but once you bring everybody in.
He added, “Maybe we need to train those area boys and touts, give them uniforms and then they’ll be the ones to ask you to show the evidence on your phone, right? And then they get paid a decent salary. And if you give them the skills, some of them will on their own, move on from that job to something else, right?
“So, our strategy is let’s think about what’s best for our country and get all stakeholders to align. We do think that all the stakeholders including the government want the best for their country and we just need to make them see that big picture and then come along with us. That’s the plan that we have.”
While it’s challenging to pinpoint a specific timeline, Oyedele outlined the ongoing internal processes to gain stakeholder approval. He expressed optimism for the bill’s passage through the National Assembly within one to two weeks, anticipating visible results by the end of the first quarter.
Addressing concerns about the impact on local governments, Oyedele highlighted the committee’s efforts to engage with governors and suspend nuisance taxes at the state and local levels. He underscored the inefficiency of the current taxation system, citing instances where a single private car faced up to 60 different taxes.
The committee proposes a streamlined approach, urging states to collect a single tax at the local government level, making payments straightforward and electronically accessible. Oyedele asserted that this simplified system could increase revenue for local governments by more than tenfold.
Responding to the lengthy process of amending laws and the constitution, Oyedele acknowledged the need for legislative changes but emphasised a proactive approach. The committee is urging states to suspend certain taxes immediately, even before formal legislative amendments, to alleviate the immediate struggles faced by the public.