Mohammed Shosanya
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria,MAN,has implored the federal government to stop putting undue pressure on its member through multiplicity of taxes.
The group said,the government should consider expanding tax net to bring in new tax payers which invariably will generate more revenue for the government.
MAN’s President, Otunba Francis Meshioye,disclosed these at the 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti state branch of MAN with was themed: “Tax Regime and Effects on Manufacturing: A Strategic Approach for Manufacturers.”
He said:”On daily basis, vehicles of members transporting raw materials and manufactured goods are harassed by different consultants who use tout tactics to demand for diverse taxes and levies, many times, these entities behave unprofessional to company personnel.”
He noted that government reform measures and policies had such as removal of fuel subsidy, floating of Naira exchange rate and increase in monetary policy rate had a lot of effect on manufacturers in the country.
He added that the poor performance of economy in the past few years made it imperative for state governments to appreciate the contribution of the manufacturing sector in job and wealth creation.
He,however,commended the Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo states government support to the manufacturing sector,saying discounts and concessions should also be giving to manufacturing outfits especially members of the association, to reduce imposed financial burden.
He stated that despite challenges facing his members, they has shown remarkable resilience and
determination and would continued to produce high-quality goods, create jobs, and contribute to the growth of the nations economy.
Speaking at the meeting, the chairman of Oyo, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti branch, Mr Lanre Popoola, call for immediate rehabilitation of roads at the industrial estates.
Lanre Popoola also said its members are inundated with diverse taxes by agencies of the Federal, State and Local authorities. He listed the taxes such as Capital Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Stamp Duties, Personal Income Tax, Withholding Tax, and Industrial Training Fund Tax, among others.
He urged regulatory agencies within the branch comprising of Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States to harmonize their taxes and levies, saying discounts and concessions should also be giving to manufacturing outfits especially members of the association, to reduce imposed financial burden.
Speaking on the level of roads at the industrial estates, Lanre Popoola said, “In Oyo State, Oluyole Estate and its Extension along the Lagos/lbadan expressway, the Egbeda Industrial
Estates and several road networks are in deplorable state.”
“We call on government to prioritize rehabilitation of these affected roads considering the high revenue generated and we are willing to partner with government in exchange for tax holidays.”
“The situation is similar in Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States and using the same template we can achieve more together sufficient and economically stable future.” Popoola said.
