The Archbishop of the Anglican Communion of Kaduna Province, Timothy Yahaya, has conducted a critical analysis of Nigeria’s tax reform bills, stating that until each of the 36 states in the country can produce and boast one agricultural product for export, the nation cannot move forward in this regard.
The Anglican cleric noted that if implemented, the reform is something that will stimulate the economy of the country to avoid remaining a nation with a rental economy.
Fielding questions from newsmen about his Christmas message to Christians in the country on Wednesday, Bishop Yahaya said it was dangerous and unprogressive for the country to put all its eggs in one basket by relying solely on crude oil as the exclusive source of the nation’s major export.
He lamented that the money spent on turnaround maintenance of the nation’s refineries over the years was sufficient to build additional refineries, adding that the Dangote refinery should be the country’s choice to avoid further importation of fuel.
The tax reform bills, as far as I am concerned, are something that is going to stimulate the economy of this country. When we remain a country meant for a rent economy, I don’t think that is the best. The sharing of money is not the best for this country. Go to America; some states are known for oranges, and some states are known for apples, so what is a particular state in Nigeria known for? We are only known throughout the 36 states of the federation for crude oil. Is that how we should be known? Some states should be known for the production of cocoa and rubber; some states should be known for the production of plantain, which we can export; some states should be known for the production of ginger; some states should be known for the production of sorghum. All over the place, some states are good for rice production; I know the rice belts in this country. Honestly, if we are going to produce rice, every part of the world will see our rice.
But again I said, in this country, when leaders don’t think outside the box and focus on creating wealth but instead only think of sharing what we extract from the ground, we have a very big problem. I have also encountered some mediocre arguments about the money we have collected over the years and what we have done with it. So if everybody knows that he must farm in his house to eat, and if everybody knows that what he produces is what he is going to eat, I think we will put on our thinking caps, and in the next five to ten years, Nigeria will be catching up with the first world; that is my belief; there is no bias against it. But when you just sit down and people give you fish, will you learn how to fish? Will you learn how to produce fish? That is my take on tax reform bills.
The government has promised us refineries; where are the refineries today? So we want the government to answer the question: where are the refineries? Because the money we have used for the turnaround maintenance of refineries from the beginning until now is more than the money Dangote used to build one of the biggest refineries in the world. There is something wrong somewhere, and I think the government should do a forensic study and audit of how it spends its money because the watchword for every leader is what is the value for money. Do we get value for the money we are spending on behalf of Nigeria? I think we need to look inward, and we need to ask ourselves the salient and truthful questions that will help our country move forward.
What are the indices that inform the prices of petrol? When the subsidy was removed, I was one of those who felt happy, thinking that this money would be ploughed back into Nigeria. However, we continued as usual. I cannot tell you today, as a person, how much we have saved or how much the subsidy has advanced Nigeria. So where is the subsidy money? Where is it going? The only thing the poor man had before was the subsidy on petroleum. Whether it is a scam or a reality, only those who operate it know.
“But we, as Nigerians, are still asking if the subsidy is gone, what has replaced it? We need to reduce the price of fuel because I am not sure the cost of production is equal to what they are selling. I want them to prove to Nigerians beyond reasonable doubt. Look, refining and mining crude oil is not nuclear science; it is very simple technology. So why are they making it so difficult? Why are people not coming forward transparently to us? As far as I am concerned, I don’t know what is obscuring the pump price that we cannot explain. That is why I am concerned. Remember how the Dangote refinery has had to fight all over the place to survive?
“Instead of the Dangote refinery being our number one choice, so that our dollars can be stronger, we still prefer to import. Can you imagine that? For me, the more I see, the less I understand because it is as if some people have decided that this country must not move forward. I pray, in the spirit of Christmas, that the Lord will help this country to advance.
“One of the issues that is biting hard in Nigeria, which I want the government to address, is hunger. And I want to say this with every sense of respect: the amount of money I see being churned out in the name of agriculture in Nigeria, where is it going? I think there should be a probe; there should be a serious investigation into all the agencies of government that handle agriculture in this country. The amount of money I see—I am a farmer—by now Nigeria should be exporting food more than crude oil. But when these funds come out, where do they go? We need to ask this question because Nigerians are so hungry in a country that can feed the whole of Africa. This is one area the government should focus on.
“Another area is the fact that prices of essential commodities are getting out of hand, and at times, some of these things are gimmicks by fellow Nigerians. I want the government to look at it critically: the prices that our people are paying for goods and services. I am not advocating for price control, but let them reflect reality rather than mere speculation. You cannot imagine the price of a commodity in the morning being different in the afternoon and evening. The rate of inflation is unbelievable. Therefore, I think those who manage our economy must do something to curb inflation in 2025.
“Apart from that, I want to plead with the government regarding the relationship between the security forces and civilians in this country. Some of the videos we see on social media are unbelievable. Even yesterday, I saw a video of military officers protecting some Chinese who had violated the law. I don’t think that is the same thing that happens in China. I want the government to investigate. I want to express my respect for the security forces; some of them are doing their best, but who are the bad eggs among them? If these issues are addressed, I think this country can become great and better.
“My message to Nigerians on Christmas Day is like the angel that came on that day and said, ‘Fear not, for today a child is born unto you, and there is great joy in the whole world.’ So I tell Nigerians, fear not. The God that has been with Nigeria since creation is still the God that is present today. With all that we are going through, this will come to pass; it will be over. I believe that after this storm, there will be a better and greater Nigeria.
“I do not want Nigerians to lose heart; I want them to be encouraged. Furthermore, Christmas is a time for sharing. We are supposed to remember those who are downtrodden, those who are not privileged, those in hospitals, those in orphanages, and even those in prison. If we can remember them and bring joy to their faces at a time like this, it will be a great occasion, and it will send a wonderful message that everybody is happy because a Saviour is born.” Bishop Yahaya said.
