In pursuit of the promotion of equitable and progressive taxation at the sub-national level in Nigeria, the Rivers State Tax Justice and Governance Platform, in collaboration with its partners, including Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CITN &PH Society), the Society of Women in Taxation (SWIFT), the Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum (REIF), and other concerned and credible society actors, organized a one-day Stakeholders Tax Policy Dialogue in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The event aimed to foster collaboration and dialogue among key stakeholders, address issues related to multiple taxation and illegal levies, and support the tax reform process in Rivers State.

An interactive session leading to the formulation of specific thoughts and resolutions agreed upon by the participants who called on the Rivers State Government to consider the various recommendations stated in a communique signed by key stakeholders including the Lead, Rivers State Tax Justice and Governance Platform,  Amaechi Kelechi, the Country Director of SDN, Mrs. Florence Ibok-Abasi, the Rivers State Coordinator, Society of Women in Taxation,  (Mrs.)  Eunice  Odum and others, asked the Rivers State Government to the harmonization of the tax collection system, by enacting a law to set up a joint state and local government tax collection system for efficiency, transparency and accountability.

The communiqué also advised an improvement in the digitalization of tax payment processes as all taxes and rate payments should be made online, adding that the Rivers State Tax Management Information System (RIVTAMIS) platform be upgraded by RIRS for efficiency and user-friendliness.

They urged the Rivers State Government to see that all actions are put in place to criminalize multiple and nuisance taxations. While stating that all taxes and rates should be categorized and made payable on a cluster basis to make it convenient for taxpayers. State and local government taxes should also be paid at once. They also suggested a system be adopted where informal business owners can obtain their Tax Identification Number (TIN) as a means of expanding the tax net of the state.

Finally, the written document put together called for the Rivers State Government to periodically engage with the leadership of all professional and trade bodies to design a method of collating the data of members. This would also widen the tax collection dragnet to include professional bodies and trade associations such as barbers, etc., and properly engage and empower their various leadership to collect an appropriate rate from member’s earnings and remit it directly to the government industry.