Once upon a time, government existed to provide social amenities that made life easier for citizens — electricity, clean water, good roads, security, healthcare, education. Citizens paid taxes, and in return, they enjoyed these services. That was the social contract.
Today, the story is different. Citizens pay multiple taxes — income tax, VAT, levies, duties, fees — yet, they still provide for themselves the very things government should supply.
No electricity? You buy generators and fuel.
No water? You drill boreholes.
No security? You hire private guards.
No good roads? You fix them by community contributions.
Still, government knocks on your door with new taxes every day.
“When citizens provide their own amenities, taxation becomes legalized extortion.”
The Big Question
If citizens are taxed heavily, what exactly is government giving in return? Where is the justification for the endless burden on the common man? Taxation without services is not governance — it is exploitation.
“True governance is not about taxing people, it is about serving people.”
The Burden on Citizens
The Nigerian citizen is not just taxed, they are double-taxed. You pay taxes officially to the government, then unofficially to survive. You pay NEPA (Electricity) bills and still buy fuel for your generator. You pay water rates and still maintain your borehole. You pay road taxes and still fix bad portions with your community.
It’s a system designed to frustrate, not to empower.
“A society cannot prosper when citizens carry the responsibilities of both government and taxpayers.”
Accountability Must Return
Taxes are not the problem. In fact, every nation thrives on taxes. The real problem is the absence of accountability. Where are the taxes going? Why is there no visible return on investment in the life of the average citizen?
Until citizens begin to demand accountability with one voice, the cycle of heavy taxation with zero amenities will continue.
“Taxes are the people’s sweat. When misused, it is nothing short of robbery with pen.”
Finally
Government exists to serve, not to drain. Citizens are not cows to be milked dry without feeding them. If taxes must be collected, then basic amenities must be provided. That is the foundation of trust between people and government.
Otherwise, the people are right to ask: “What exactly are we paying for?”
