The House of Representatives summons the CBN and banks over concerns about unverified POS operators across Nigeria.

The Nigerian House of Representatives has decided to summon Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), along with the Chief Executive Officers of commercial banks, to discuss the inadequate documentation of Point of Sale (POS) users nationwide.

This resolution emerged from a motion introduced by John Okafor, the representative for Ehime/Mbano/Uboma/Obowo Federal Constituency in Imo State, during a plenary session on Wednesday.

Okafor pointed out the escalating issues linked to the undocumented identities of POS users, which create significant obstacles for security and financial regulations.

He urged his fellow lawmakers to endorse the motion, stressing the necessity for a unified approach to address the issue.

He noted that there have been instances of fraudulent activities associated with POS users, asserting the urgent need to combat such illegal practices to protect the integrity of financial transactions in Nigeria.

He remarked that the House recognizes that undocumented POS transactions present a vulnerability to fraud, including identity theft and money laundering.

By mandating the documentation of users’ identities, the prevalence of fraud could be substantially diminished, thereby enhancing the security of financial transactions in the country.

Furthermore, he emphasized that proper documentation would promote accountability among operators and users, facilitating the tracing of transactions back to individuals and holding them responsible for any illicit activities.

In a critical remark directed at the apex bank, the All Progressives Congress lawmaker highlighted what he termed regulatory bias and enforcement challenges faced by relevant authorities.

He called for immediate action to prevent this troubling situation and to protect Nigerians from criminal exploitation through the POS system.

The House of Representatives has entered into a closed-door session to deliberate on the Tax Reform Bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu.

The ongoing meeting is designed to foster a consensus among lawmakers as they prepare for the upcoming debate on the bills. The session is crucial in addressing any concerns or opposition that may arise during the discussion of the proposed reforms.

A lawmaker from the All Progressives Congress (APC) revealed that the closed-door session is intended to ease tensions and encourage support for the bills ahead of the formal debate. While not all lawmakers are fully convinced about the content of the bills, there is a general recognition that the government’s intent is to improve the nation’s economy. The aim of the session is to garner enough backing for the tax reforms, which are viewed as pivotal to strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal policies.

The Tax Reform Bills, transmitted to the National Assembly on September 3, 2024, are part of the government’s ongoing effort to overhaul the country’s tax system. These proposed reforms are based on the recommendations of the Taiwo Oyedele-led tax reforms committee and are designed to modernize and simplify Nigeria’s tax structure.

The four key bills under discussion include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which sets the fiscal framework for taxation in the country. This bill outlines the broader principles and rules governing tax collection and administration. Another crucial bill is the Tax Administration Bill, which aims to streamline the legal framework for tax collection, reduce disputes, and ensure greater efficiency in tax administration.

Additionally, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill seeks to repeal the existing Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act and replace it with the Nigeria Revenue Service, a new body that would take on a more comprehensive role in managing the country’s revenue collection. The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill is also part of the package, and it proposes the creation of a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman, both of which would provide greater accountability and resolve tax-related disputes.

These bills are considered critical for improving Nigeria’s tax system, increasing revenue generation, and ensuring a more transparent and efficient approach to taxation. However, lawmakers’ deliberations are expected to focus on the finer details of the proposed changes, with the aim of ensuring that the reforms align with the best interests of the economy and the welfare of Nigerian citizens. The outcome of these discussions will shape the direction of the country’s tax policies for years to come.