The Public Complaints Commission (The Nigerian Ombudsman) has strongly advocated the need for reduction of multiple taxes incurred by business owners across the country in other to promote the ease of doing business and create an enabling business environment .
While declaring opened a town hall meeting themed; Systematic and Proactive investigation into multiple taxation of businesses in Lagos State, the Honorable Chief Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf said the Federal government is taking necessary measures to address the issues of multiple taxation which has been identified as a major hindrance to ease of doing business in Nigeria .
He said that the town hall meeting which was being held simultaneously in all the six geopolitical zones of the country was aimed at addressing ways by which businesses would not be thwarted at their infant stages but allowed to grow to make huge difference at the long run .
Also speaking to stakeholders in the meeting, the Federal Commissioner of the Lagos State office of the Commission, Hon Afeez Odunewu stressed that the meeting was part of the Commission’s efforts to give back justice and sanity to the grassroots.
He said all the dues and levies that are being collected at the local council development areas that have become unnecessary burden on small scale businesses would be addressed
Deputy director of investigation Lagos state office, Musa Omosun added that transport unions and local government officials are also contributing to the menace of multiple taxation with their unauthorised levies.
Participants in the Town Hall meeting included representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos Internal Revenue Service Board, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Business men and women among others.