NORTHERN GOVERNORS’ SAY NO TO TAX REFORM BILL  … against northerners interest

NORTHERN GOVERNORS’ SAY NO TO TAX REFORM BILL

… against northerners interest

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

The Northern States Governors’ and Northern States Council of Emirs and Chiefs have unanimously rejected the

recent Tax Reform Bill sent to the National Assembly.

It called on members of National Assembly to oppose any bill that can jeopardise the well-being of it people.

This was contained in a communique

signed by the Forum’ s Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Northern Traditional Ruler’ Council (Emirs and Chiefs) held Monday, 28 October, 2024 in Kaduna.

It reads:

The communique also captured other grey areas which need immediate interventions in order to bring succor to the generality of the people.

Such areas includes that of  boosting agriculture, which it said should not only be seen as a means to feed the people but also as a catalyst for industrialization and job creation across the region. Such it said  can be achieved through re-industrialisation of the North especially by reviving the textile value chain and development of other agro-allied industries.

“Forum agrees that Northern Nigeria holds immense agricultural potentials, which, if fully harnessed, can significantly alleviate hunger and boost economic growth. To achieve this, we resolved to provide adequate support to our farmers, including access to financing, modern farming techniques and infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems.

The Forum commended the Federal Government and security agencies “for their commitment in ensuring that our communities are safe and secure. Particularly we commend the untiring commitment of the Chief of Defence Staff General C. J Musa whose professionalism and innovative approach has made a difference in security architecture of the Country at large. Nevertheless more need to be done to address pockets of challenges that abound in the Northern Region.

On the the current electricity power blackout. ” Forum resolves to call on the Federal Government and relevant Agencies to urgently address the current electricity power blackout affecting most of the Northern States due to vandalization of electricity transmission infrastructure. This matter not only underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, but also the need to build additional transmission lines and diversify our energy supply so as to better connect our region and improve our energy resilience.

On the roles of traditional institutions, “Forum emphasises that Traditional Institutions are critical in the quest for lasting peace and security in the region. Forum also acknowledged their commitment in bridging the gap between the Government and the people. Forum advocates for increased roles for the Traditional Institutions to maximize cooperation with security agencies in the fight against kidnap for ransom, banditry, cattle rustling, communal clashes, farmers/herder clashes and other forms of criminality.

.Other areas touched was that of addressing youth restiveness by investing in education, skills development, job creation in order to reduce youth vulnerability to crime.

“Forum agrees to support and key-in to any initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of out-of-school-children and improving educational outcomes in the sub-region.

It commiserated with victims of the recent flood disasters in Maiduguri and other parts of the North, as well as to the families affected by the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State. The Forum equally commiserates with other victims of terrorism, banditry and similar criminal activities in the North and Nigeria at large and stand in solidarity with them during these difficult times.

“We agreed to continue to work with the Federal Government and relevant agencies to provide the necessary support and relief to those affected.

“Forum commends His Excellency, the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the reform initiative in the livestock sub-sector and agreed to provide the necessary political will and commitment to ensure the success of the Federal Government livestock development initiatives. The Forum also agreed to sustain engagement and cross-fertilization of ideas with the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee to achieve greater results.”