You can’t tax people without increasing their income

Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno South Senatorial District in the Senate has kicked against the controversial cybersecurity levy. 

Appearing on a Channels Television program on Friday, May 10, Ndume said it is not proper for the government to continue to levy the citizens while nothing is done to increase their income.

He said; 

“You cannot be loading taxes on people when you are not increasing their income. Their source of income, you are not widening it, you are not increasing it. I am not part of those that support levying people anyhow.

“The amendment to the Cybersecurity Act, I supported it but not the nitty-gritty and I am not trying to run away from any blame. We have issues with cybercrime you know that, and there is a need for the government to improve the Cybercrime Act, that is what I understand by the amendment.

“Looking at the nitty-gritty would have been the responsibility of interested parties. If I had known there is an issue where a cost would be transferred to a customer or a Nigerian I would not agree.”

Ndume also said lawmakers alone should not take the blame for the Act as civil society organisations and the labour unions are supposed to point out grey areas during public hearing.