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Abolish Multiple Taxation In Rivers, Group Urges Govt

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7 months ago

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A civil society organization, Rivers State Tax Justice Governance Platform (RSTJGP) has called for  the abolition of multiple taxation in the state.
Coordinator of the group, Kelechi Amaechi, who made the call in an interview with newsmen during a Tax Walkathon sensitization rally in Port Harcourt, said incidence of multiple taxation is driving away businesses in the state.
Amaechi particularly urged the Rivers State Government to enforce the use of the *5224# digital tax payment platform with a view to eliminating all illegal and multiple taxations in the state.
The event has as its theme “Power of Voices Partnership Fair for All”, was organized by the organization in collaboration with CISLAC, with support from Oxfam Nigeria to raise awareness about fair tax practices.
He said citizens must not only pay their taxes, but must demand accountability from the Authority.
According to him, despite government’s introduction of the digital tax payment platform, implementation remains weak, leaving businesses vulnerable to multiple taxes and harassment from tax agents and task forces.
“The Rivers State Government has taken steps to address illegal and multiple taxation by introducing the *5224# platform, which allows businesses to pay their taxes easily. However, enforcement remains a major challenge.
“Many businesses still receive excessive demand notices and are forced to pay exorbitant levies to tax agents and task forces”, he said.
He stressed that harmonized taxation would promote business growth and job creation, ultimately reducing youth unemployment and crime in the state.
“We are urging the government to not only introduce these initiatives, but also enforce them. Businesses need a simplified and harmonized tax system to thrive, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth”, he stated.
Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Port Harcourt District Society, Victoria Okokon, who spoke to The Tide in an interview, said it has become important for taxpayers to know their rights by using digital platforms for tax payments.
She said the rally was attended by people being impacted by multiple taxation, adding that market women, bus drivers and others attended the rally.
Okokon said digital payment of taxes will eliminate quackry, but added that people must ensure that their taxes are judiciously utilized by the government.
According to her, “If taxes are paid digitally, it eliminates the need for intermediaries, ensuring that tax revenues go directly into government coffers. This will help curb illegal collections and double taxation.
“It is important for every taxpayer to know their right, know the right avenue to pay their taxes.”
Also, the Executive Director of LightHope Succor Worldwide Initiative and a member of the Rivers State Tax Justice and Governance Platform, Evelyn Williams, urged the government to ensure taxpayers see tangible benefits from their contributions.
“Many business owners, especially women and young girls operating in market spaces, lack basic amenities such as toilets, proper parking spaces, and waste management services. The government must ensure that tax revenues are used to improve these facilities.
“We really want to see that those things are being put in place to ensure the taxpayers get equivalent services for the tax payment”, she said.
Also speaking, Chairman of Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr. Dogara, said incidence of multiple taxation is driving businesses away from Rivers state.
He said the sooner the government tackle this problem the better it would be good for businesses in the state.
John Bibor
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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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5 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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5 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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5 days ago

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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