Nigerians react to VAIDS deadline

Nigerians react to FG’s persuasion not to extend VAIDS deadline

By Timeyin Mammah

The deadline for the Federal Government’s Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme, VAIDS draws to a close this month.

The scheme according to Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun who spoke on the Nigerian Television Authority breakfast show, Tuesday is an attempt to increase revenues from taxation in the country from 6 per cent of total earnings to around 15-20 per cent as recorded by some developing countries and developed countries. She also stated that the scheme’s gestation period which started July last year and runs for nine months will not be extended.

Nigerians have been reacting to the issues surrounding VAIDS.

When The Difference undertook a straw survey in Arepo, Ogun State a whooping 70 per cent of those who responded claimed not have known about VAIDS.

“I haven’t heard about it,” Dipo Olusegun,  a salesman at Alpha Mart said.

For others who were generally aware of the scheme, they still had gaps in their knowledge base.

Babatunde Okajare who work for ShiGas said, “I am aware of VAIDS but I’m not aware of the fact that it is closing by the end of March.”

When asked about what he thought about the VAIDS scheme by the Federal Government he said, “I commend the government for coming up with such a programme to improve revenue from taxes but Nigerians are not aware of this, the date has to be postponed to a more reasonable date.”

On his pat, Mr Osas Idemudia, a teacher at Rubyfield Nursery and Primary School said,  “The government has to focus on high earning individuals to make VAIDS work. How much can they get from the lower class?”

Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun