The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) have voiced their opposition to the proposal of introducing additional taxes and levies to finance the Child’s Online Access Protection Bill.
Matthew Osanekwu, representing FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji, conveyed this stance during a session with the House Committee on Justice in Abuja.
Adedeji emphasized that imposing additional tax burdens on businesses to fund the legislation would be inappropriate, citing FIRS’s specific revenue targets.
He suggested that funding for the bill should be allocated through the national budget instead of introducing new taxes. Adedeji noted the existence of eight different levies already and recommended obtaining the necessary funds through budgetary appropriation, given FIRS’ responsibility for government revenue collection.
“Our position is that FIRS fully supports the bill, and its intention is a great initiative,” stated Adedeji. “We have to adopt global best practices; we observed that funding to make it happen is also in the bill, and in this, we have raised issues.”
Abang Abua, Deputy Director of Legal representing the CEO of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, expressed concerns about funding through taxation, stating, “We are concerned about tax because our operators are already inundated with taxes.”
In addition, Ms. Pwadumoi Okoh, Deputy Director of Legal Affairs at the National Human Rights Commission, commended the bill for safeguarding children’s rights but highlighted certain inaccuracies. She recommended exploring existing Nigerian laws to avoid duplication and interagency rivalry.
Representative Usman Kumoh (APC-Gombe) reaffirmed the House’s commitment to protecting children’s rights, emphasizing the need to shield them from exploitation and abuse.
