The director general of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Comrade Issa Aremu, has called on Nigerians to support the tax reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Aremu, who spoke during an interview with LEADERSHIP in Ilorin said Tinubu deserves the “critical but constructive” support of the citizens in the tax reforms his administration is currently undertaking.
” There can only be sustainable good governance with sustainable enhanced public revenue which can be made possible through just and progressive taxation,” he said.
He hailed President Tinubu for what he called “audacity to make a change through controversial but inevitable reforms,” adding that, “you can agree or disagree with his policy choices but you cannot doubt President Bola Tinubu’s business-unusual policies to reposition through reforms in all sectors of governance in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda ”.
Aremu expressed confidence that the National Assembly offers the open platform for improving on the content of the proposed four tax bills, adding that those opposing the reforms in the nation’s tax administration should proceed to the National Assembly and ventilate their views.
Citing as commendable the clause that exempted workers on minimum wage as take home pay from tax net, Aremu said the exemptions should be further expanded to cover mass of what he called “working poor whose pay on account of inflation and Naira devaluation” had depressed their purchasing power.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made his intention known about tax reforms, and this has been duly communicated to the National Assembly. The President should be encouraged to accompany tax reforms with good governance reforms that will re-industrialise Nigeria, create decent work and banish poverty. Those who disagree with the tax reform bills should proceed to the National Assembly and make their positions known.”
He disclosed plan by MINILS to hold a citizenship engagement with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms with a view of highlighting the benefits of the proposed bills.
Aremu tasked the organised labour and employers of labour to partner President Tinubu in ensuring payment of both the new N70,000 minimum and living wage for workers, adding that wage- led economic recovery plan backed by improved productivity is indispensable for sustainable development.
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