The N6 trillion in tax and import duty waivers that the federal government had included in its budget proposal for 2023 were rejected by the Senate committee on finance because leaks and wastages must be stopped.
Zainab Ahmed, the minister of finance, was given instructions to reduce tax exemptions by 50% to N3 trillion in order to make up the N12.43 trillion shortfall in the N19.76 trillion in budgeted spending for the 2023 budget.
During a panel discussion on the proposed 2023–2025 medium-term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy paper (MTEF/FSP), Solomon Adeola, the committee’s chairman, stated to Ahmed that “the proposed N12.43 trillion deficit for the 2023 budget and N6 trillion waivers are very disturbing, and must be critically reviewed.”
Many of the beneficiaries of the waivers are not ploughing accrued gains made into expected projects as far as infrastructural developments are concerned”, he said, adding that, “The same goes for tax credit window offered by the FIRS to some companies.
it had earlier been reported about five months ago, that 43 companies got tax waivers under the Industrial Development Income Tax (IDIT) Act, with Flutterwave losing out.
Revealing his displeasure, Adeola further stated that, “Billions and trillions of naira can be generated by the government as revenue if such windows are closed against beneficiaries abusing them and invariably provide required money for budget funding with less deficit and borrowings.
“The NCS should help in this direction by critically reviewing waivers being granted on import duties for some importers just as the FIRS should also review the tax credit window offered some companies without corresponding corporate social services to Nigerians in terms of expected project executions like road construction.
“We cannot accommodate this N6 trillion tax waivers. It is in this way that the committee frowns at the projected N12.41 trillion budget deficit contained in the 2023-2025 MTEF/FSP and the alarming projection of ‘no provision for treasury-funded MDAs’ capital projects in 2023.
“This scenario is unacceptable, and we must find ways to drastically reduce the deficit.” The lawmaker said.
However, Ahmed and the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Muhammad Nami, defended the tax waiver, stating that it was crucial to the development of the country, and it was only given to companies with project evidence.
Senate committee no longer wants borrowing, revenue generation left unchecked
Adeola also explained that millions had been saved by scrutinising the books of agencies, and more needs to be done in order to reduce the rising budget deficit.
In his address, he said, “It is apparent that the borrowing trends cannot be allowed to continue unchecked and conscious efforts must be made to reduce budget deficits.
“Achieving these goals requires us to look inwards towards increased revenue generation, blocking of leakages and restraints on what are generally frivolous expenditures by MDAs, particularly the Government Owned Enterprises (GEOs).
“Our preliminary findings and directives to some of the agencies had led to the payment of millions of naira into CRF in accordance with the fiscal responsibility Act 2007 and the 1999 Constitution.
“It is needless to say that these millions not paid to CRF contribute to the yearly huge budget deficits of the federal government.
“The investigation was also able to get some agencies to accept opting out of the federal budget altogether based on their internal revenue generating ability. Some of these findings are relevant to the proceedings of this 5-day interactive session.
“From the challenges thrown up against our economy in terms of the Russia-Ukraine war, the impact of crude oil theft, insecurity, and continuing infrastructure deficits, it is time for all to agree that it cannot be business as usual for government revenue and expenditures.
“We need to block all revenue leakages and misuse in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as well as control expenditure to free funds for needed infrastructure development and provision of social services.” Adeola said.
