President Bola Tinubu has expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) following the state chief executives unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly (NASS).
President Tinubu in a statement issued yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, lauded the governors for their bold leadership and commitment to fostering unity among leaders nationwide, transcending regional, ethnic and political barriers to advance Nigeria’s development.
Thursday’s productive consultation between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy is a commendable example of cooperation between the federal and state governments, the president said.
He extended special commendations to the chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq for galvanising support among his peers for the transformative tax bills to rejuvenate the national economy and enhance Nigeria’s investment climate.
He also commended the Progressive Governors Forum, the Northern Governors Forum and all other groups that made the bipartisan resolution of the controversy stirred by the tax bills possible.
President Tinubu said the primary aim of the Tax Reform Bills, which is pro-poor, is to promote national interests, improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s economy and attract both local and foreign investments.
He said updating the country’s outdated tax laws was essential to this endeavour.
The president noted that the dialogue between the NGF and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform highlighted the power of constructive conversation in resolving differences.
President Tinubu regarded the governors as vital contributors to nation-building and affirmed his commitment to partnering with them to promote economic growth, national harmony, peace and stability.
He also encouraged other stakeholders with ideas and suggestions for refining the tax bills to engage with the ongoing legislative process at the National Assembly.
Tinubu urged the National Assembly to expedite the legislative process for these crucial bills so that the country can swiftly reap the benefits of the reforms.
