Imo students to present tax certificates for admission
From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

IMO State government has directed that all students returning to school this year must present their parents/guardians' electronic tax clearance certificate (ETCC) before they are allowed to register and participate in studies, Special Adviser to Governor Ikedi Ohakim on Revenue Generation, Mobilisation and Accounts Monitoring, Kirian Onwuzurike, has disclosed.


http://odili.net/news/source/2010/jan/14/23.html



Briefing journalists in Owerri, the state capital, at the weekend on the state of revenue and achievements of his department, Onwuzurike said the measure was put in place to ensure that every taxable adult in the state lived up to his or her civic responsibility.

He added that all returning students must present the evidence of tax payment by their parents to school authorities before they would be allowed to study.

"It is our obligation. It is our responsibility", he said.

He disclosed that the state government was targeting N17 billion monthly revenue from the current over N430 million.

On the relationship between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials on the remittance of N300 million owed the state, which culminated in the forced closure of the branch at the stance of the state government's directive, Onwuzuruike said the CBN official had paid N40 million out of the outstanding sum to the state government.

On efforts of the local councils in the state to collect revenue, he urged the officials to only collect according to the specifications of the state government and provisions of the law.

A lot of "orphans" are going to show up at the registry.

how many jobs has ohakim created?
what is the state of state-owned schools in imo state?
hows the teachers pay package?
GTFOH!

Ohakim needs a bullet to his skull

Abagworo:

how many jobs has ohakim created?
what is the state of state-owned schools in imo state?
hows the teachers pay package?
GTFOH!

You berra get your tax documents in order. I_moRS is at your door.

This is serious. . .

What else do you expect from a fraudulent slowpoke. . .

this smacks of , what word do i use now, joblessness, irresponsibility,, its plain stupid!
our governments just seem to be getting more confused daily.

Sometimes i wonder who advices all this politicians. . What kind of nonsense strategy is this??

nuzo:

A lot of "orphans" are going to show up at the registry.

i will not be suprised if riots break out in owerri

Insensitive government, so children of farmers who live and reside in Imo state should not go to school before their parents never worked for anybody or any institution. This is another Amaechi-like decision. No consideration before action.
Foolish Ohakim

WONDERS SHALL NEVER END,
WE STUDENTS WE DON SUFFER IN THIS WORLD

ohakim is 1 of the most confused govornors in nigeria.how many jobs can he boast that he has created.infact he is a complete bast**d.

it is a welcome idea. at least many will start paying tax into the covers of the govt. remember when fashola said every non indigene returning to Lagos after the holiday season in 2008. so many of them paid their taxes sharply. some claimed farmers can pay who told u? they can pay from their produce. another claim many orphan will show face let them do that and the govt will investigate immediately. honestly, it is not a bad idea at all

pple should not get it wrong. it is just the clearance and not the amount on the slip

Well, even Lagos state govt. that is making judicious use of their IGR has not issued such directive.
Owerri/Imo dwellers, how deep has this guy impacted on the polity so far for him to give such ultimatum, can he be trusted?

BTW, what of Parents/Guardians resident outside Imo state, are they involved too     

Stupid slowpoke as a governor

Governor Ikedi Ohakim is a senseless & confused idiot.

Paying tax should not be a problem. Please.

You cannot eat your cake and still have it.

If you want good soup, you need good ingredient. That is common sense.

The purpose of taxation all over the world is very clear - development.

After paying tax, you can then begin to hold the government to account on good local infrastructure, local recreation facilities, pipe borne water, etc.

Farmers can pay tax. Everyone should begin to pay tax.

Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system is a progressive system of taxation.

NIGERIAN REGULATIONS ON INCOME TAX

The PAYE (Pay as you earn) system was implemented following the Personal Income Tax Decree of 1993. Under Nigerian tax law employers collect tax by deducting it from the salary of employees. The administration charged with income tax is the Joint Tax Board (J.T.B.) and in each state there is a State Board of Internal Revenue.

The obligation to pay tax is determined for individuals by their residence.

According to the Personal Income Tax Decree (PITD) the criteria for residence is "a place available for an individual´s domestic use in Nigeria".

This system therefore excludes hotels or any form of temporary residence. In fact an individual will be considered as a resident of Nigeria if he or she has stayed for more than 183 days in the preceding 12 months.

Expatriates who have a permanent stay permit in Nigeria are liable for tax in Nigeria even if they spend less than 185 days there.

Employers must deduct the amount of PAYE income tax, understood in the broad sense, from the employee. However the following components are excluded:

1) The reimbursement of all expenses incurred by the employee through his work on which he or she does not make any gain,

2) Medical and dental expenses of the employee,

3) Unemployment and retirement pension contributions,

4) Travel costs to or from Nigeria,

5) Any amount towards education or training of a child,

6) The amount of housing allowance provided by the employer, that is 28% of the annual base salary,

i. 10,000 Nairas when the employee is a resident of Lagos or Abuja,

ii. 6,000 Nairas when the employee is resident of a state capital,

iii. 4,000 Nairas when the employee is resident of any other part of the federation.

7) Transport costs totalling up to 2,436 Nairas per year,

Loan interest on the principal residence,

9) Retirement and forward planning contributions approved by the JTB,

10) Indemnities,

11) Other deductions.

wonders shall neva end!!!many parents ar unemployed or pensioners who live on handouts from wealthy relatives n d society in general.

this has to be the most ridiculous thing i've heard this year

THE SAME CASE IS HAPPENING PRESENTLY IN TAI SOLARIN UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,IJEBU ODE.
EVERY STUDENT IS TOLD TO PRESENT THE TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE EVEN NON-INDIGENES AND THOSE THEIR PARENTS ARE NOT WORKING IN OGIN STATE.HOW IS THIS TO BE?WHAT KINDA REVENUE GENERATION IS THIS ?
IS IT IDEAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL?
THIS BAFFLES ME.

mama-gee:

This is serious. . .

What do u mean Mama-gee, dont u pay tax abroad? We r talking as if d tax will b N1m! Mayb a paltry N500 or so. However, they shld use it to work.

Lookin for ways to generate revenue,they target undergraduates. . .beautiful rabbish.na Naija we de.

otukpo:

i have always said it that Ohakim is a confirmed thief.

He is just seeking relevance unjustly.

When we talk of performing governors, his name shld be at the bottom, next to Alao akala.

He is just a mistake in that govt house.

well i don't think he is worse than the governor of Abia state.maybe he should be above T.A Orji

Thats more like it, Clean and Green initiative Seanson 2. Still on the matter arising

lol!!!! @ this thread!!!!

but why cant any sane person in imo challenge this nonsense in the court?
The law says you have to PAY YA SCHOOL FEES and NOT TAX CERTS in order to study.
So why this nonsense about tax cert. Where in the world did u have to present ya tax cert
in order to go to school? Its just laughable.

Bokoharam:

What do u mean Mama-gee, dont u pay tax abroad? We r talking as if d tax will b N1m! Mayb a paltry N500 or so. However, they shld use it to work.

Yes it's a paltry N500 but it may surprise you that some parents cannot afford it. What nonsense tax collection are they doing in Nigeria where only the civil servants who receive meager salary pays taxes.  Does Iwuayawu pay taxes on his income?. Will his children be turned back from the school if they do not provide their parents tax documents?.

Also, many undergraduates in Nigeria are over 18, why should the government hold them responsible for their parent's tax evasive crimes?. If Ohakim wants to charge students who do not work taxes, let him say so so we know how to tackle him. Sons of beeches.