Speaking from the perspective of someone who has had to deal with this firsthand every single month, I must say that in truth tax is seriously taxing. I mean, I pay about 9.8% of my monthly salary as direct tax, and that's not even counting the indirect taxes I'm constantly being hit with. From VAT on goods and services to levies that come in all shapes and forms, it's just crazy. I mean, if what is done with these payments were visible, I'd be fine, but here I'm wondering what exactly we are paying for.
As a resident of Lagos and a proud Nigerian, I personally don't think it's too much to expect my basic needs in return for the amount I paid in tax on a monthly basis; however, month after month, I watch that percent of my salary being deducted and still left to face the harsh reality of how I'll get the basic needs on my own and as well sustain it till the coming months. Imagine being a regular taxpayer and yet you're made to face the following realities:
No electricity: For over eight months now, we've not once had electricity in my community, and yet the power holding company, Ikeja Electricity, keeps compounding our bills month after month despite the fact that they didn't give us electricity. Does that even make sense that you're asking us to pay for something you didn't give us? Isn't that stealing in disguise? And that's why I ranted in this recent post of mine days ago: while other nations are afraid of what it'll feel like to be without electricity for 5 minutes, we're made to think having it is a luxury down here.
No access to public healthcare: like I said above, aside from the tax I pay monthly, another deduction that happens automatically on my wages is health insurance, and yet I've not been able to make use of the LSHS meant for staff since the beginning of this year because the federal government took over the formerly state-owned hospital, besides the fact that I paid health insurance. I can't even get a reasonable table of pills from my insurance. Has the system kept on lying that the pills aren't available? I mean, if they're not available, then give me back my money so I can purchase the medicine myself. Why charge me for it and still make me buy it with my money?
These and several other things are nowhere to be found, no infrastructure, just bad roads and zero accountability, and that's why I'm asking once again, where is the tax money going?
It's worth noting that I'm not against payment of tax; I know it goes a long way in helping the government sponsor different projects and bring about development to a nation. Besides, it's a civil duty to do so; however, it's frustrating when we're being forced to contribute to the system and get absolutely nothing in return, more like we're donating to a lost cause or something we're not meant to benefit from. It's disheartening and heartbreaking, if I must say; there's a need to be accountable for what the taxes are being used for and to show evidence to the point where we taxpayers can attest to it.
The government has a huge role to play in all this. I know sometimes people put in charge are also responsible for not doing what they ought to do, and that's why we demand transparency and accountability. In a situation where we can trace every single kobo taken from our salaries and what they're spent on, I believe we'll be able to question this fact, call people responsible out, and in the end we'll be able to have a stable power supply, health insurance that actually covers medical bills, hospitals that have quality working equipment, and several other things. Even though it sounds like a dream, which it shouldn't, I know it's possible with the right measures put in place.
In conclusion, I agree that paying tax is important; in fact, it's an avenue for citizens to contribute to nation building, but then in my nation, is that the case? Absolutely not, and is tax taxing? That's a definite yes, and that's why we're crying out for a system that works, leadership whose focus is the betterment of people; only then can we as citizens not feel like paying tax is like pouring water into a basket.
All photos are taken and edited on canva.