By ATHUMAN MTULYA, THE CITIZEN
In Summary
- Tanzanian president said those who have not paid tax for whatever reason should voluntarily come forward or face the law.
- Dr Magufuli said currently available cash was only being spent on recurrent expenditure such as payment of salaries and on government operations.
Tanzanian president John Magufuli Thursday gave a seven-day
ultimatum to businessmen who have evaded tax to pay up or risk arrest
and court charges as he intensified efforts to raise revenue to fund
government budget.
Mr Magufuli said those who have not paid tax for whatever reason
should voluntarily come forward or face the long arm of the law.
“Go and pay now so that we can leave you in peace. You can’t
hide the containers like a needle. But when the ultimatum expires, stern
legal measures will be taken against all those who will have failed to
cooperate,” he said during a State House meeting with members of the
country's business community.
The President spoke as Prime Minister Majaliwa Kassim Majaliwa
separately revealed that more than 2,300 containers had been cleared
from the Dar es Salaam port without the payment necessary duties since
March 2014.
Dr Magufuli told the delegation that he was acting in order to
collect sufficient revenue to fund local development as currently
available cash was only being spent on recurrent expenditure such as
payment of salaries and on government operations.
Budgetary shortfall
Revealing the dire financial situation in which his
administration finds itself, the president said that not a single cent
had been released for development projects since the current budget was
approved in June. He said he had only this month released some Tsh120
billion ($57.5 million) as the first payment for development budget.
“You know, it could be we are being hard on some of you, but all
we need is the money to drive the economy and build the nation
together. I urge you to pay your taxes, apply for another business
opportunity and you will be granted,” said Dr Magufuli as he appealed
for support from members of the business community.
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