NUDO MP Vetaruhe Kandorozu has called on the Finance Minister to consider extending the tax amnesty by another two years, citing the impact of outstanding tax audits and the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak on farmers.             

"And then unfortunately it has collided with the FMD outbreak. While they are on their way to sell their cattle to come and settle their NAMRA dues, all the auctions in the country have been halted. So there is no income coming to NAMRA. Is there any possibility to extend the text amnesty for another two years to come because we don't know when the FMD is going to last?"

Finance Minister Erica Shafudah acknowledged that the issue was critical and said the government would consider the implications of extending the amnesty.

"We are going to look at our dynamics because no one expected FMD. Put them out; this is to break in our country. We thought we had all measures in place. But let me look at it and come back. In fact, I will make a statement on that one. But for those ones who have the ability to pay, they should pay. Those ones who have the ability to pay should really be paying. But I have also already informed NAMRA to speed up the auditing processes because that is one of your critical questions. What will happen to those who have submitted their audits but have not been audited to date? So I will come back."