The House of Representatives has resolved to setup a committee to investigate whether operators of internet-based ride hailing services pay taxes in accordance with Nigerian laws.
Representative Ganiyu Abiodun (APC-Lagos state) had moved the motion at plenty on Thursday, urging the house to probe the tax compliance of these transport services.
The House unanimously adopted the motion.
Presenting his arguments in moving the motion, Mr Abiodun averred that ICT-enabled companies such as Bolt and Uber are now widely used in Nigeria, offering very accessible, cheaper and lucrative transport services, especially in the urban areas.
“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 spread widely across the country,” he posited.
Mr Abiodun further claimed the average weekly earnings of Bolt and Uber drivers range between N60,000 and N120,000 while the companies take off 20 per cent and 25 per cent respectively as commission from the earnings of each driver operating on their platforms.
He noted that these companies benefit “from facilities of the Federal Government such as road and security network which grants them ease of doing business.”
He therefore submitted that they ought to be fully accountable and made to remit taxes to the federal government as and when due.
The lawmaker said it was not clear whether the companies were fully compliant with the requirements of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, considering that the services were online.
In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker of the house, Ahmed Wase, said that the committee, when constituted was expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
(NAN)
