A recent town hall meeting in Gombe State, attended by policymakers, academics, civil society actors, and concerned citizens, has unequivocally rejected the proposed Tax Reform Bills. The meeting, organized by the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Gombe Chapter, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and critical stakeholders, concluded that the bills would exacerbate economic hardship, marginalize regions, and undermine national unity.

Comrade Muhammed Usman Deba, Coordinator of the CNG Gombe State Chapter, emphasized that the proposed tax reforms would disproportionately affect Northern Nigeria, already lagging in economic development. “The reforms appear to target Northern Nigeria, raising suspicions about their intent,” Deba said. “The region would bear a significant share of the economic burden, further marginalizing its population.”

The participants criticized the lack of meaningful consultation and engagement with stakeholders, particularly those from Northern Nigeria, during the formulation of the bills. “This exclusion has resulted in policies that fail to reflect the realities and needs of the majority of Nigerians,” noted Comrade Habiba Isah Gaude, representative of women groups from the Voice for Rural Women.

“The proposed tax reform bills, if implemented, would lead to increased tax burdens on businesses and individuals, hindering economic growth and development,” warned Comrade Lawal Idris Lawantee, Acting Chairman, CSOs in the state. “This would exacerbate poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship, particularly in Northern Nigeria.”

The town hall meeting also expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of the tax reforms on education, digital innovation, and the well-being of the people. “The reforms would undermine the funding of critical institutions such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI),” Deba said.

These institutions, the participants noted, are essential for Nigeria’s educational, technological, and industrial advancement. “Their defunding would undermine regional and national development, particularly in Northern Nigeria,” Gaude added.

The meeting called for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed bills and urged the Federal Government to adopt a more inclusive and people-centered approach to economic reforms. “The government must engage in broader consultations with stakeholders, including civil society organizations, educational institutions, and local governments, to ensure a consensus-driven and equitable approach,” Lawantee said.

The participants also recommended relocating bank headquarters to Abuja, reopening land borders, reducing VAT to 3%, and rejecting increased telecommunication tariffs. “These measures would promote economic growth, reduce hardship, and ensure equitable distribution of resources,” Deba said.

Furthermore, the meeting emphasized the need for alternative reforms that are inclusive, equitable, and designed to stimulate sustainable economic growth without imposing undue hardship on citizens. “The proposed tax reform bills, in their current form, are detrimental to the people and the nation at large,” the participants concluded.

As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, the rejection of the Tax Reform Bills by Northern Nigeria highlights the need for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to economic policymaking. The Federal Government must heed the collective voice of the people and take urgent steps to address these pressing concerns.

“The town hall meeting has sent a clear message to the Federal Government: the proposed tax reform bills are unacceptable and must be withdrawn,” Lawantee said. “We urge the government to engage in meaningful consultations with stakeholders and adopt a more inclusive and people-centered approach to economic reforms.”

StreetReporters.ng

This post has already been read at least5 times!