The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has backed Nigeria’s tax reforms which culminated in the new tax laws, describing them as necessary for economic growth and development.
The recently-inaugurated Executive Secretary of the continental body, Ms Mary Baine, made the support known during a visit to the chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, in Abuja, on Tuesday.
A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman said ATAF stands by Nigeria in reforming its fiscal landscape and pledged the readiness of the body to give technical support in areas that would help in realising the gains of the reforms.
She referenced how the organization had helped Zambia to build capacity in the area of raising revenue from mining, promising to offer support to Nigeria in the same area.
According to her, ATAF is willing to leverage Nigeria’s continental and global influence to mobilise member-countries to strengthen the organisation.
The FIRS chairman, while welcoming the visitors, expressed confidence in the capacity of the Executive Secretary to lead ATAF to glory.
He charged Africans to look inwards for homegrown solutions to challenges, stressing that salvation cannot come from the Western world.
‘My belief has always been that solutions to Africa’s challenges can only come from Africa. There is no free lunch anywhere. I have said that I don’t believe in aids; I believe in cooperation.
‘So, the expectation from us as a continent is also to bring what we can contribute to the work, most especially in tax matters. For us, we have to evolve our own fiscal policy which is what Nigeria has done with the new tax laws.
‘Before now, we had tax laws that were colonial relics. We had the Stamp Duties Act of 1939 which was enacted when there was no internet,’ he said.
Julius Berger, subsidiaries showcase products at Big 5, ECOBANK Expos
By Faruk Shuaibu
Nigeria’s leading engineering construction company Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, last week in Lagos, led its various subsidiaries to make a commanding impression at the recently concluded BIG 5 and ECOBANK Expositions, showcasing the unique innovation, craftsmanship, and expansive portfolio alongside its subsidiaries.
While the Big 5 event took place at the historic Landmark Events Centre, the other held inside the expansive ECOBANK Pan African Centre, Lagos.
Conscious of the opportunity the development presented to stakeholders in the sector, Nigeria’s best in the provision of aluminium and glass solutions, ABUMET, the pioneer in design and engineering in the country, PrimeTech Nigeria Ltd as well as the company’s Excellence Centre and Julius Berger Precast Services stormed the landmark event with new innovations and revised editions of their products and services at the Landmark Event Centre.
Each Julius Berger subsidiary brought their unique flair to the events. From cutting-edge architectural designs to advanced solutions and premium aluminium systems. The stands reflected the group’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and technological advancement.
A Facility Manager and officer in charge of the company’s Excellence Centre, Aleksandar Serafimoski said the Centre has a little bit more diverse portfolio.
The Commercial Manager for the Julius Berger Precast Services, Christian Bauer, said, ‘We are representing Julius Berger, and what we are basically trying to do is to showcase that we are branching out into smaller scales.’