Coalition of northern groups calls for suspension of tax reform bills

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Sokoto State chapter has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the reform bills currently before the National Assembly as a matter of national interest.

In a statement signed by its coordinator in Sokoto, Comrade Faisal Salisu, on Saturday, the coalition expressed that the proposed tax reform bills, if enacted, could pose a significant threat to Sokoto State and the entire Northern Nigeria.

He said the reforms, which include, a new VAT derivation formula and the consolidation of multiple levies into a single development Levy.

The group urged the federal government to completely suspend the implementation of these reforms, and allow critical stakeholders to enrich the Bills by making their input in order to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of resources and without marginalizing the North or other regions of the country.

“While these proposed changes are presented as a pathway to economic growth, the reality is starkly different, especially for our disadvantaged region.

“The Coalition of Northern Group, Sokoto State chapter have extensively reviewed the proposed Tax Reform Bills and skillfully uncovered many alarming disparities.

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“The new VAT sharing formula, for instance will predominantly benefit Lagos and Rivers State, leaving Sokoto State and the entire North, along with South-East and South-South geopolitical zones, with the short end of the stick.

“This skewed distribution formula will overly drain resources from already struggling state like Sokoto and many states in both Northern and Southern Nigeria, making it nearly impossible for many states to meet basic obligations such as paying worker’s salaries or funding critical services.

“The defunding of of pivotal institutions such as TETFUND, NITDA and NASENI will stifle advancements in education, technology and industrial sectors that are crucial for the North’s development ”

“The government must publish data justifying the proposed VAT derivation formula to enable public evaluation of its fairness ”

The group further called on Federal government to focus more on security and revitalization of the power sector, while calling on others from the South-East, South-South and parts of the South -West who share in the struggle to join hands in advocating for a just, fair and equitable Nigeria.

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