Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has said Nigerians do not trust the government, which is one of the reasons for not paying taxes.
He disclosed this on Monday during a Channels Television interview.
He called for government financial statements at all levels to be up-to-date and transparent.
Oyedele noted that the government is committed to reducing the tax burden on the masses.
He said Nigerians should focus on holding the government accountable and transparent.
“Nigerians do not trust the government; that is one of the reasons they are not paying taxes. Auditor General reports should be current; we should not discuss 2017 in 2023. We do not lack the technology for proper accounting. Just imagine saying the federal and state governments’ balance sheets, and it is on time,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inaugurated Oyedele’s committee last month to revamp Nigeria’s tax sector.
Nigeria’s constitution should be amended to make it compulsory for govt agencies to submit yearly financial statements
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, says Nigeria’s constitution should be amended to make it compulsory for government agencies to submit yearly financial statements.
According to him, the financial statements of government agencies should be submitted alongside the yearly budget for transparency and accountability.
Oyedele noted that up-to-date presentation of financial statements by government agencies would promote transparency and accountability.
“One suggestion that is coming from my committee is that the constitution says the President and governors should present the budget for the next fiscal year; why can’t you amend the constitution to say when you are giving the budget for the next year, submit the financial statement for the previous year? So, it becomes constitutional”, he stated.
