- Minister: reform will transform economy
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, yesterday accused Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed of playing bad politics with the proposed tax reforms
He advised the governor to face governance and stop using President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to burnish his vanishing image.
Also, the Minister of State for Industry, Sen. John Uwan-Enoh, has said the Tax Reform Bills would positively transform the nation’s economy.
Owan-Enoh, who spoke yesterday while addressing reporters in his country home, Etung, in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for presenting the Bills.
The minister noted that the reform would be beneficial to the industrial sector.
He reminded Nigerians of the President’s promise of a $1 trillion economy, saying the reform was part of what was needed to achieve the feat.
In his statement yesterday in Abuja, Dare, who objected to the governor’s consistent criticism of the Tax Reform Bills of the Federal Government, stressed that it is wrong to politicise the tax reforms.
He said: “Governor Bala is playing irresponsible politics. Rather, he should occupy himself with dealing with the many problems of his state. Ambition is made of sterner stuff.”
The statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu’s administration is one that is laser-focused on issues of development and how to improve on the overall well-being of Nigerians.
“This government does not deal with personalities. Our focus is on how to build stronger collaborations with sub-nationals and other critical stakeholders on matters that affect the lives of Nigerians.
Read Also: Tax Reform Bills: NEF call for dialogue, inclusive policies
“President Tinubu won an election and secured a national mandate from Nigerians and he will not surrender that to satisfy the palate of some pseudo-activists and latter-day crusaders.
“President Tinubu is a listening leader and one who also strongly believes in the institutions of state.
“On the Tax Reform Bills, the President was clear that anyone and groups that feel strongly about this matter now before the National Assembly should take advantage of the legislative process. Attempts to stampede or abort this process must be regarded as undemocratic and self-serving.
“The question to Governor Bala Mohammed by journalists is to know what he is doing to make life better for the people of Bauchi State. How well are the people of his state, who still rank as most impoverished among Nigerians, fairing under his leadership?
“How well has he as governor used the increased resources at his disposal to improve the quality of life of his people? Just like President Tinubu has a duty to all Nigerians, Governor Mohammed has a greater duty and responsibility to the people of his state…
“President Tinubu is focused on revamping the economy and is working to turn the economic fortunes of the country around. He has a four-year mandate to deliver on his promises.
“Nigerians have started to see the real impact of reforms of the Tinubu administration and better outcomes will continue to manifest in the lives of the citizens in the weeks and months ahead.”