By Anuoluwa Babalola

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) on Monday inaugurated a tax justice and governance platform in Ibadan, a project called Capacity for Research and Advocacy for Fair Taxation (CRAFT), towards achieving a fair taxation system in the country. 

The project is supported by OXFAM in Nigeria, an international developing partner that works in over 17 countries, including Nigeria, with interest in supporting the informal sector to eradicate the burden of multiple taxation.

“We are working in 17 states in southern Nigeria and Oyo State is one of those in the south-west, which will be responsible for engaging advocacy, research and education of citizens on tax system in the state, because we believe that residents of Oyo State are those who can best engage others in their state,” according to the Senior Officer of CISLAC, Mr Kolawole Banwo, at the event.

Comrade Abiodun Oyediran, representative of Oyo State Labour Congress, praised the platform for recognising the voice of the voiceless and serving as intermediary between the government and the citizens in the face of alarming economic situation, and promised partnership to make the project achievable.  

Meanwhile, the platform has signed a memorandum of understanding which drew out the guidelines on the expected responsibility of the platform and indicated the support CISLAC is willing to give CRAFT. 

“CRAFT is expected to do research, advocacy and also sensitise others in the community, while CISLAC will give them financial support to accomplish our set goals,” Kolawale said.