 |
| Lucciano Gabriel |
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), in
conjunction with the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), has called on
Nigerian artistes to develop the culture of paying taxes.
This position was articulated after a meeting held last week at the Lagos headquarters of LIRS at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Commenting, the association’s Caretaker Committee Chairman Kevin Lucciano Gabriel, said: “Music is a money spinner in our country and contributes greatly to the gross domestic product (GDP) of our country. Alongside Nollywood, it is the biggest employer of labour in Nigeria today generating millions of naira in income for artistes.
“Consequently, it is the duty of every Nigerian musician to pay tax on their earnings. This is in line with the laws of the Centre of Excellence, Lagos State, under the Fashola administration. If taxes are duly paid, this would automatically result in income for the state and by extension better public amenities. While we understand that a lot of artistes are not earning much, but a lot are also earning millions of naira annually and so it is their civic duty to pay their taxes,” he said.
The PMAN helmsman also called on the state to step up the campaign against piracy as this would ensure that artistes are not swindled by pirates and by extension equip them with funds to pay their taxes.
“When musicians earn good money then they can pay their taxes and this would culminate in a better Lagos State for us all,” Gabriel added.
Corroborating Gabriel, an official of LIRS said: “The need to pay taxes cannot be overemphasised. Payement of taxes will ensure the provision of better amenities which has been the objective of the Fashola administration since inception. For a more viral and effective Lagos, musicians need to begin to develop the culture of paying taxes.”
This position was articulated after a meeting held last week at the Lagos headquarters of LIRS at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Commenting, the association’s Caretaker Committee Chairman Kevin Lucciano Gabriel, said: “Music is a money spinner in our country and contributes greatly to the gross domestic product (GDP) of our country. Alongside Nollywood, it is the biggest employer of labour in Nigeria today generating millions of naira in income for artistes.
“Consequently, it is the duty of every Nigerian musician to pay tax on their earnings. This is in line with the laws of the Centre of Excellence, Lagos State, under the Fashola administration. If taxes are duly paid, this would automatically result in income for the state and by extension better public amenities. While we understand that a lot of artistes are not earning much, but a lot are also earning millions of naira annually and so it is their civic duty to pay their taxes,” he said.
The PMAN helmsman also called on the state to step up the campaign against piracy as this would ensure that artistes are not swindled by pirates and by extension equip them with funds to pay their taxes.
“When musicians earn good money then they can pay their taxes and this would culminate in a better Lagos State for us all,” Gabriel added.
Corroborating Gabriel, an official of LIRS said: “The need to pay taxes cannot be overemphasised. Payement of taxes will ensure the provision of better amenities which has been the objective of the Fashola administration since inception. For a more viral and effective Lagos, musicians need to begin to develop the culture of paying taxes.”
No comments:
Post a Comment