Business
LCCI Seeks Disengagement Of Tax Consultants
The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged government at all levels to stop the use of tax consultants.
The body said the device had been adding to the liabilities of tax payers since tax consultants were paid on commission basis.
The president, LCCI, Chief Solomon Onafowokan, stated this during a tax awareness seminar for business, organised by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, in conjunction with Toki Mabogunje and Co in Lagos on Wednesday.
Onafowokan said, “There should be more incentives for investors, especially in the growth sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing, agro-allied industries, and mining.
Tax is a potent tool of incentives to business. “The use of tax consultants by the various governments should be discontinued, because these consultants are paid on commission basis. They are more interested in building up the tax liabilities of the tax payers, sometimes without justification.
He added, “let me reiterate the fact that as business people, we believe that a critical corporate responsibility for us is the discharge of our tax obligations. But this should be done in line with tenets and norms of good tax system. Some of these norms include certainty, clarity, equity, fairness, flexibility and economic efficiency.”
According to Onafowoka, there should be more emphasis on Indirect taxes, as against direct taxes. He added that an informal sector business dominated economy, like Nigeria, should adopt indirect taxes, which he considered an efficient systems of taxation than direct tax.
Speaking in the same vein, the chairperson, FIRS, who was represented by the Acting Co-ordinating Director, Tax Operation Group of the organisation, Dr Joseph Okpara, said Nigeria operated a tripartite tax administration system; from federal, state to local government level.
She said Taxation Act No 21 of 1998 listed approved list of taxes to be paid to the government coffers at the federal level to include petroleum profit tax, capital gains tax from companies and company’s income tax among others.
She said tax payable to the state governments included personal income tax; stamp duties; capital gains tax; pools, betting and lotteries, gaming and casino taxes, road taxes; business premises registration and development levy among others.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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