Introduction
I was recently a privileged panellist at the 2012 University
of Lagos Law Students Tax Club Annual Conference, 'Is
Environmental Taxation Possible?' Erudite environmental
lawyer, Dr Dayo Amokaiye delivered a stimulating paper,
Feasibility of Environmental Taxation in Nigeria, which
set the tone for discussions. Mr. Tunde Fowler (Executive Chairman
LSIRS/Tax Club Patron), as Chairman of the occasion, ably directed
proceedings. Fellow panellists, Messrs Ajibola Olomola
(represented) and Isaac Komolafe; with Prince Quadri, former and
current President of CITN and WAUTI respectively, made up the
'high' table.
According to Dr Amokaiye, "the use of law particularly
taxation to regulate environmental pollution is not novel...
Economic techniques involve the use of economic incentives and
disincentives, mechanisms such as fines, effluent fees, pollution
tax, licences, user charges, loans and grants to reduce a level of
pollution to desired standards. ...
