Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has called for
objectivity and transparency in the conduct of the public hearing on the Tax
Reform Bills being organised by the National Assembly.The four executive bills,
since their introduction, have created tension between some state governors and
the Federal Government, with the governors calling for their withdrawal to
allow more consultation.
Although some governors are reportedly reconsidering
their stance, Borno State Governor, Prof.
Babagana Zulum, has urged his northern colleagues to
reject the bills, insisting that their implementation would harm the region’s
economy.Atiku said in a statement on his X handle (formerly Twitter) that as a
concerned stakeholder, he firmly believes that transparency and objectivity are
essential for promoting accountability, good governance and public trust in
policy-making.
Atiku stated, “The public hearing process must
facilitate open and inclusive participation by all stakeholders, including
Civil Society Organizations, traditional institutions, politicians, public
officials, and subject matter experts.”In this wise, I call on the NASS to
revisit and make public the resolutions of the National Economic Council, a key
stakeholder and an important organ of the state with the constitutional power
to advise the president concerning the economic affairs of the Federation.”The
former Vice President said he had been following the intense public discourse
on the Tax Reform Bills with keen interest, noting that Nigerians were united
in their call for a fiscal system that promotes justice, fairness, and
equity.”They are loud and clear that the fiscal system we seek to promote must
not exacerbate the uneven development of the federating units by enhancing the
status of a few states while unduly penalising others,” he said.He said the
NASS must be appropriately guided and ensure that in the final analysis, the
contents of the Bills align with the interests of the vast majority of
Nigerians.
Comments:
Leave a Reply