The Nigerian House of Representatives has announced that it will set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate tax compliance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT_-aided transport tech and ride-hailing companies operating in Nigeria and report back within four weeks for further legislative action. This was disclosed after the adoption of a motion on the Urgent Need to Investigate the Tax Returns of Information and Communication Technology and Transport Companies in Nigeria by Hon. Ganiyu Abiodun Johnson.
Hon. Abiodun while stating that the necessity to probe is to see if the ride-hailing companies were compliant with the Companies and Allied Matters Act, considering that the services were online and on the average, weekly earnings of Bolt and Uber drivers range between 60,000 to 120,000, the companies take off 20% and 25% respectively as commission from the earnings of each driver operating on their platforms.
According to Rep Abiodun, “In recent times, ICT has had significant impacts on the way organisations operate, as it offers tremendous opportunities such as storing, processing, retrieving, disseminating and sharing of information.
“ICT has created many job opportunities for unemployed persons as the people’s desire for comfortable ride services have enabled companies such as Bolt and Uber to spread widely across the country.
“Many transportation activities now occur through online booking and payments which make the ordering of the services easier and efficient.
”Cognisant that the companies have benefited from facilities of the Federal Government such as road and security network which grants them ease of doing business, thus they ought to be fully accountable and up to date in tax remittances.”
The House was concerned that as corporate identities, it is not clear whether the companies are fully compliant with the requirements of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, considering that the services are made online.
Deputy Speaker of the house, Rep. Ahmed Wase, in his ruling, said that the committee, when constituted was expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
 "Dubai Submerged In Flood")
