FG is not increasing taxes, Udoma tells National Assembly

The Federal Government does not have any intention of increasing taxes but is working towards increasing its internally generated revenue through the broadening its tax base.

Responding to a comment by Senator Ben Bruce at the public hearing of the Joint Session of the National Assembly on the 2017 Budget, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma said “a view has been expressed that we should not increase taxes, that we should broaden tax collection instead, that is precisely what is in the budget.”

Senator Bruce had given the impression that the Federal Government was about to increase taxes, a development he said will further worsen the economic fortunes of individuals and businesses, but the Minister said “there is no increase in VAT, there is no increase in company’s income tax, there is no increase at all in taxes, but people who are not paying taxes must be made to pay. So the idea is to increase revenue by broadening the tax base, not by increasing taxes.”

FG Hosts UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay On Four-day Visit

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has arrived here for a four-day official visit on the invitation of the Nigerian Federal Government.

A statement from Kelechi Onyemaobi, a UN Development Programme (UNDP) communications specialist, said Pillay, who arrived here Tuesday, would have discussions with members of the government and civil society on the promotion and protection of human rights at the highest levels.

"It is the first such visit to Nigeria by any UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since the office was created 20 years ago. During her visit, Pillay plans to meet President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Justice and Women Affairs and Social Development.