The National Economic Council, which includes members of the Nigerian Governors Forum, has recommended that the presidency withdraw the Tax Reforms Bill from the National Assembly.
This request is based on the necessity for broader consultations and consensus among stakeholders.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde stated that this recommendation was part of the resolutions made during the National Economic Council meeting held at the State House in Abuja.
Makinde emphasized that the Council members agreed on the importance of fostering consensus and understanding of the bill among the Nigerian populace.
While the Federal Government argues that the proposed laws aim to improve efficiency and eliminate redundancies in the nation’s tax operations, there is significant opposition from northern elites.
These reforms were introduced following a review of existing tax laws that began in August 2023.
DAILY POST recalls that the Federal Executive Council, recently chaired by President Bola Tinubu, had approved new policy initiatives aimed at streamlining Nigeria’s tax administration processes.
In addition, Vice President Kashim Shettima announced that the NEC will implement measures to expedite the decentralization of the national grid, aiming to resolve the frequent power outages that have left some northern states in darkness.
He outlined several strategies for decentralizing the national grid, including the establishment of mini-grids and the use of renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic and wind turbines.
During the 145th NEC meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Senator Shettima, who chairs the NEC, highlighted that the government must remain accountable and address these pressing issues.
He underscored the urgent need for the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP), stressing that the energy sector should harness the potential of renewable energy and utilize solar and mini-grid solutions to meet regional electricity demands.
The Vice President stated, “A robust economy is the foundation of every nation. The recent blackouts caused by vandalism remind us of the critical need to expand our energy infrastructure. I believe the governors present would concur that decentralizing electricity is the way forward.
“We will continue to advocate for a constitutional framework that empowers individual states within the Nigerian federation to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity in areas served by the national grid. Together, we can make instability a thing of the past.
“Moreover, our energy sector must tap into the potential of renewable energy. We need to leverage solar and mini-grid solutions tailored to regional requirements. I urge the Council to support the implementation of the Nigeria Energy Sector Implementation Plan (NESIP).
“If we capitalize on our diverse regional energy resources—from the solar potential in northern Nigeria to the gas reserves in the south—we can create a resilient, decentralized energy system that fosters growth and empowers our communities.”
