The International Monetary Fund, IMF, recommendation of more taxes on telecommunication services and petroleum products for the Nigerian government has sparked angry reactions from the citizens.
It could be recalled that recently, the IMF recommended introducing taxes on fuel products and telecommunications services in Nigeria as part of broader measures to increase government revenue and create fiscal space for development spending and social interventions.
This was contained in its Article IV report on Nigeria.
DAILY POST reports that the reactions that followed were spontaneous due to past experiences with the IMF.
Although Nigeria has dismissed reports suggesting it had adopted or was considering the introduction of new taxes on telecommunications services and petroleum products following recommendations contained in the latest IMF Article IV Consultation Report on Nigeria, Nigerians have continued to speak against the recommendation.
The government in a statement had stressed that recommendations contained in the IMF report were not binding on Nigeria and should not be interpreted as official government policy.
It maintained that decisions on taxation could only be made through constitutional and legislative processes and would be guided by national priorities and prevailing economic realities.
“The IMF Article IV Consultation Report contains the Fund’s assessment of Nigeria’s economy as well as recommendations for consideration by the authorities. Those recommendations do not amount to government policy and are not binding on Nigeria.
“Decisions on tax matters are taken through established constitutional and legislative processes and are guided by national priorities and prevailing economic realities,” part of the
