By Atiyah Mahmoud

A public affairs commentator and lecturer at the Kwara state University, Dr Victor Babatunde has berated the announcement of the increment of Value added tax [VAT], from 7.5 percent to 10 percent, which is in pipeline.

He stated this on a weekend political programme, National Affairs, on Diamond FM Ilorin.

Dr Babatunde highlighted that the masses are being mistreated by the current economic hardship and despite all these controversies in the country, there’s an incessant hike in petrol pump price.

‘’My take is completely similar with that of the common man , now if you go to the market by this week or next, there will be increase in the price of commodities due to the increment in the Value added tax [VAT] . To me it is nothing but being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians, it shouldn’t be at this time when we are having hike in electricity and hike in pump price.’ ’says Dr Babatunde

He added that when petrol pump price is high, there is a corresponding increase in other commodities.

Recall that, the Presidential Fiscal Policy and tax reform committee, led by Taiwo Oyedele also disclosed that the committee proposed the removal of taxes on food, transportation, house rents and other basic necessities critical to the well beings of Nigerians, to the federal government.

He further added that it would be very insensitive if the members of the national assembly permit such proposal to scale through first reading. “If such policy is not knocked out from its introduction, at plenary, it will be highly insensitive on the part of the legislature. And that is a policy somersault and it should not be entertained by the national assembly. Revenue shouldn’t be generated at the expense of common man”.

Edited by Nedu Okorie

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