

By Correspondent in Abuja.
(C) Facebook.
The leadership of the Market
Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) has demanded for ”update” from the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) on collection of a special Value Added Tax (VAT).
The association made the demand in a letter addressed to the FIRS chairman dated 3rd February 2025, signed by its National President, Alhaji Jamilu Abbas and copy available to The Reporters on Sunday.
An acknowledged copy of the letter sighted by our correspondent confirmed that it was received by the Chairman’s Registry on 05 February 2025.
The document is titled ”Request for update of FIRS & MATAN MOU on the VAT Direct Initiative (VDI)”.
In the letter, Abbas reminded the FIRS chairman that VDI was an initiative of MATAN through the Joint Tax Board (JTB), courtesy of the association’s Integrated Market Traders Management System (IMRMS), through a letter dated 13th September 2022.
While chronicling the detail engagements that led to the signing of the MOU between MATAN and JTB, the association stated that FIRS wrote MATAN on collaboration for VAT compliance in the informal sector of the nation’s economy.
”This translated in the signing of the MOU between MATAN and FIRS on the VDI,” Abbas.
He recalled that on 16th June 2023,FIRS wrote two separate letters engaging MATAN on Automated VAT Collection and as VAT Collection Agent in the haulage services operators sector.
Abbas further explained that both appointments were accepted by the association, which culminated to the launch of the traders proposed multipurpose ID Card.
Consequently, he said that MATAN engaged in several partnership with many organisations across the country, including Burke – Frazier and ALGON, on the successful strategic implementation of the MOU.
”It is in view of the aforementioned we are seeking update on this laudable Initiative” after a long silence, MATAN stated.
The association attached relevant documents to buttress their claims.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.