By Festus Fifen

The Nigeria Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun moves to end multiple taxation in the Nation’s capital in order to ensure a smooth business environment for local and foreign investors doing business in Territory.

Director, FCTA Department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu disclosed this to journalists over the weekend, stating that a high-profile meeting between the FCTA and major stakeholders to resolve all the lingering tax collection problems in the nation’s capital was scheduled for Tuesday 25th May 20221 at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

According to Dr. Ahmadu, the Administration’s commitment to resolving, once and for all, all identified bottlenecks around tax collection in the FCT remained unwavering, hence it has dedicated a day for major stakeholders to engage in extensive deliberation and brainstorming on the issues.

The one-day event, titled: “Evaluating and Tackling issues on Multiple Taxation in the FCT”, will be attended by top representatives from the six Area Councils in the FCT and the Ngerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), whose persistent complaints necessitated the retreat.

Notable stakeholders expected includes The FCT Minister, Malam Muhamad Musa Bello, his State counterpart, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu who will deliver a keynote address, and the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Adesola Olusade.

Also in attendance is the Senator, representing FCT in the Senate, Sen. Philip Aduda, Chairmen, Senate and House Committees on FCT, Sen. Abubakar Kyari and Hon. Abdullahi Garba, respectively, as well as the FIRS Chairman, Muhammad Nami and DG, Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), Dr. D. I. Arabi, among several others.

According Dr.Ahmadu, two papers will be presented at the event, namely “The Constitutional Provision of Tax/Revenue Collection in Nigeria with Special Recourse to Issues of By-laws and Effect on Tax Administration of the FCT Area Councils” and “The Challenges of Tax Administration with Specific Focus on Multiple Taxation, Non-availability of Unified Data for Tax Collection and Tax Touting in FCT.”

In addition to the paper presentations, an overview of audited reports of the Area Councils, which would be done by the Auditor-General, FCT Area Councils, she stated.

Dr. Ahmadu hoped that such a high calibre meeting would ensure iron out all contentious issues, restore trust and confidence in the taxation process, which sanitation, she pointed would boost IGR generation and improve service delivery in the FCT.