Northern Elders' Forum Criticizes Proposed Tax Reform Bills, Calls for Immediate Suspension
The Northern Elders' Forum (NEF) has raised concerns about the Tax Reform Bills proposed by the Bola Tinubu-led administration, describing them as potentially harmful to the economic realities of Northern Nigeria. In a statement signed by A.M. Al-Amin Daggash, Chairman of the NEF Board, the forum called for an immediate suspension of the reforms and outlined recommendations to address its concerns.
The proposed reforms, which include the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, are aimed at improving tax collection and increasing government revenue. However, the NEF argued that these measures would exacerbate existing challenges in Northern Nigeria, such as insecurity, poverty, and youth unemployment.
The forum expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of stakeholder engagement and transparency in the process, emphasizing the need for the government to adhere to global best practices in policy-making. It recommended that the government pause implementation, engage in dialogue with stakeholders, and reconsider plans to increase VAT.
The NEF also called for the protection of key national institutions like TETFund, NITDA, and NASENI, urging the government to maintain their current structures to ensure their effectiveness. It further highlighted the importance of equitable VAT revenue distribution and advocated for the exemption of agricultural goods, livestock, religious organizations, and family inheritance from taxation.
The forum emphasized the need for inclusivity, suggesting that terms like "ecclesiastical" be replaced with "religious" to avoid bias. It also reiterated the importance of addressing regional disparities to promote economic stability and fairness.
In its conclusion, the NEF encouraged the government to prioritize dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders to create a tax system that reflects the interests of all citizens, fosters economic growth, and strengthens national unity.
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