The Abia State Government, through the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), in partnership with the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), organised a tax awareness workshop to sensitize Abia citizens on the new tax law.
Addressing the participants, the GADA Director General, Uche Ukeje, said the workshop with the theme, “Understanding the New Tax Laws: Implications for Businesses in Aba,” was organised to enlighten the Aba community on the new tax system.
Ukeje explained that the administration of Governor Alex Otti considered it expedient to educate the citizens, particularly the business community, on the new tax law of the Federal Government, so as to protect them and their business ventures from falling victim.
He enumerated some of the expectations of the tax law to include compulsory collection of tax from employees who earn above the minimum wage and remit the same to the State Board of Internal Revenue, and dealing with people with tax identification numbers.
He assured that GADA will provide Tax Desk Officers in its office for continuous sensitisation of people on the new tax reform.
A former president, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA),
Ide John Udeagbala, has said the tax reforms introduced by the present administration will strengthen public finance for sustainable development.
Udeagbala, who is also the Chairman, Board of Directors, Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), said the workshop was both timely and strategic as it comes at a period when governments at all levels are undertaking significant reforms to modernise tax administration, broaden the tax base, improve transparency, and ultimately strengthen public finance for sustainable development.
“Aba’s economic strength lies in its small businesses, its medium-scale manufacturers, and its large enterprises, all of which must operate within a regulatory environment that is fair, predictable, and well understood.”
Udeagbala disclosed that the objective of the workshop was to bridge the gap between policy and practice. He added that with the workshop, businesses would be made to understand what the new tax laws require, what has changed, what remains the same, and how to comply without unnecessary disruption to productivity and growth.
“Having served as a commissioner of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, Southeast Zone, for six years, I recognise many features of the new tax laws, the challenges of the repealed law and the need for reforms.
He commended the Federal Government for the introduction of the Office of the Tax Ombudsman as contained in the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act.
He said, with this, aggrieved persons could ventilate their grievances on matters related to tax assessment through the Office of the Tax Ombudsman for free.
The first Deputy President of ACCIMA, Chief Eke Eleanya, said understanding the new tax law will enable payers to respond willingly, stressing that as an organised private sector, the Chamber was open to any idea that will boost the economic landscape of Abia and Nigeria at large.
A participant, Chief Alphesus Udeigbo appreciated the state Governor, Dr Alex Otti, for providing the platform that has widened their knowledge on the tax implementation.
The workshop featured technical sessions with the tax consultants from PwC, Mr Chijioke Uwaegbute and Mr Kenneth Erikume, providing in-depth insights of what the tax reform was all about.
