Since ancient times, the collection of taxes and fees has been a fundamental way for countries to generate public revenues that make it possible to finance investments in human capital, infrastructure, and the provision of services for citizens and businesses. Taxes have a key role to play in making growth sustainable and equitable, however, in ensuring this, there is a need to ensure that government balance goals such as increased revenue mobilization, sustainable growth and reduced compliance costs with ensuring that the tax system is fair and equitable. Fairness considerations include the relative taxation of the poor and the rich; corporate and individual taxpayers; cities and rural areas; formal and informal sectors, labour and investment income; and the older and the younger generations.
Why am I discussing taxes today? What does a doctor know about government taxation?
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Not much apparently.
That is why I was incensed when I received the month’s salary. An additional deduction of seventeen thousand was made in the name of taxes. This is in addition to the existing thousands I pay in the name of taxes to the government. Most senior health care workers pay more than a hundred thousand naira in tax every month and yet the basic amenities like electricity, water and good roads elude us. We dig boreholes to provide water and install solar inverters to generate electricity. So, what exactly is the government using the tax for?
Following the train attack on Monday, the Minister of transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi asked Nigerians to raise money for treatment of victims of Kaduna-Abuja train attack. Amaechi, who had visited the scene of the attack on Tuesday March 29, said the train attack would have been stopped if the procurement of the N3 billion high capacity rail track cameras and sensors was not blocked. His statement would have been hilarious was it not so pathetic and ill-timed. Is it our fault that you were not given the N3billion? Did the attack on the rail station start today? Has there not been several attempts in the past? What was done then?
I merely glanced at the news and dismissed it as one would to a toddler throwing a tantrum. Except that, in truth, from last month, we are being made to pay for it. What the government is saying is that, they need more money for security, hence we will be forced to pay for it.
Wallahi, cruelty is a Nigerian word. Do they know how many of us have been affected by the deaths and kidnappings? Do they pretend not to know that at this very moment, negotiations are being made and family meetings are being held to solicit for contributions to pay ransom? Do they not know that many men and women who are breadwinners have been killed? As I write, a doctor that I know has been kidnapped, yet in a cruel twist of fate, his salary has been slashed in the name of higher taxes to generate revenue for Nigerian development which they claim will be used for security.
Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun.
This is coming against a backdrop of gross inflation across the world. What your salary could buy two years ago, it certainly cannot buy now. The purchasing power of Nigerians has vastly decreased and so has the value of their salary. Most people have packed up their generators. Small businesses have shut down and even large businesses are struggling to survive. Yet, the government is insensitive enough to increase taxes.
Another bone of contention is the brazen manner in which the deduction was made. No announcements. No circular. Just a quiet execution of government power. As if to say: ‘We are collecting these moneys whether you like it or not. What can you do about it?’
Conveniently this government has forgotten all the promises it made to health workers over the years. A promise to increase hazard allowance from the flat rate of five thousand naira that has been in existence since thy kingdom come. A signed document was issued to increase the hazard allowance to 30% of our basic salaries. Till date, nothing of such nature has been implemented. Tax relief was promised to some professional organisations. Some medical centres are still yet to pay the annual Medical residency training fund (MRTF) of last year, talk more of this year. Salaries are still being owed. All the promises that government made at the suspension of the NARD strike in October last year have been brushed aside. Little wonder that industrial actions have become the order of the day.
And yet, they are quick to implement tax increase.
Worldwide, the concept of tax relief comes into fruition following situations like natural disasters and gross economic hardship. Dear reader, what hardship have we not seen in the past four years? What security breach have not seen? Is it the raiding of villages? The kidnapping of school children? Everyday banditry and kidnappings? The bombings? The blatant killing of military officials? The invasion of the NDA? The insecurity has become so rampant that there is hardly any Nigerian family that does not know of a relative or colleague that has been kidnapped.
Yet, they make us pay.
I ask what have we not seen?
The recent attacks throughout the week have left bitter tastes in our mouths. Indeed, a lot of us move about with dampened moods and frustrations. So frustrated were we that pandemonium erupted when we failed to qualify for the world cup. The stadium was suddenly overtaken by normally sane individuals who seem to have gone rogue. Properties were destroyed and the Ghanaian players were held hostage. The classic amygdala hijack. An amygdala hijack is an emotional response to stress. What is normally referred to as ‘temporary insanity’. The kind of craze that makes one see red and makes a normally rational human being act violently. The type of craze that enveloped Will Smith and Bianca Ojukwu.
The type of craze that is gradually taking over our senses in this country. The frustration is palpable and it is only a matter of time before we act out.
May God help us.
But a revolution will soon come. That, I assure you. We cannot tolerate this hardship and suffering for long.
To my Muslim brothers and sisters, Ramdan Kareem. May we use this time to pray for our fellow Nigerians in captivity and our country.
So that this madness can come to an end.
