Reforms - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
Dec, Fri, 2024

Tinubu’s reforms will benefit all Nigerians -Minister

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By Rita Iliya

The reform programmes and initiatives of President Bola Tinubu are formulated to benefit all Nigerians.

Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said this in an interview with newsmen in Malagi on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister is in the community to inaugurate some projects he executed.

The projects include electrification of Malagi community, construction of a mosque and Islamiyya school, a water project, and the renovation of a primary school.

Idris said that Tinubu’s reforms were designed to take Nigeria to a path of enduring prosperity.

He assured Nigerians that the gains of all the economic reforms of the president would begin to manifest in 2025.

He called on Nigerians to support the president’s policies, saying they would ultimately lead to a better future for the country.

“We urge all Nigerians to support Mr President. We know that times are challenging, but we believe that ultimately, the reforms will take us to the desired land.

“The progressive train of the president will not leave anybody behind and we urged all Nigerians to support Mr President,” he said.

On the projects, Idris said they were designed to bring development to the community, adding that the electrification project would connect the community to the national grid for the first time in its history.

“My late father was born in this community, and it is my home. I am proud to be part of this community, and I will continue to do whatever I can to improve the lives of the people,” he said

He added that he was motivated to embark on such projects by his roots in the community and commended the people of Malagi community for their support.

The minister promised to continue working for the development of Malagi community, the local government, Niger state, and the country at large.

The NAN reports that dignitaries at the inauguration of the projects were Gov. Umaru Bago, Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya, Etsu Nupe, the Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) among others.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Ismail Abdulaziz
Dec, Fri, 2024

Foreign

Morocco advances reforms for inclusive growth

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has expressed commitment to structural reforms, and aligning administrative and developmental efforts with the broader vision for sustainable and inclusive growth.

The king made the commitment in his message read by the Interior Minister, Abdelouafi Laftit, to the participants at the 2nd National Conference on Advanced Regionalisation, on Friday in Tangier.

He highlighted key challenges in the implementation of advanced regionalisation in Morocco and the significance of the process for fostering economic and social development, improving governance, and addressing regional disparities.

King Mohammed said the conference aimed to strengthen local governance and economic development at both regional and national levels, while building on the foundation set by the first national conference in 2019.

He said there was the urgency in implementing the National Charter for Administrative Devolution, emphasising ministries’ active roles in transferring powers to regional authorities.

“To achieve this goal, regions and local governments – each in their field of competence and within their specific powers as well as those shared with other stakeholders – are called upon to launch more ambitious programmes and initiatives within the framework of a national strategy for water conservation at the regional level.

“They are also expected to contribute to implementing that strategy through effective procedural measures.

“As regards the development of the transportation and mobility system for the achievement of integrated regional development, it is clear that this sector will quickly develop in the next few years.

“The reason for this is the growing dynamism of our country as a regional hub that attracts investment, not to mention the large-scale projects launched as part of our country’s preparations to host the 2030 football World Cup.

“Developing a comprehensive, sustainable transportation system has become a basic requirement for the achievement of integrated local and regional development.

“It is also a key entry point for reducing regional and social disparities,’’ he said.

To achieve this goal, the King urged regions and local governments to contribute to developing the sector, and accompany the efforts made by the state in that regard.

He added that digital transition at the local and regional levels had become a requirement to keep pace with the technological revolution the world is witnessing today.

According to him, one can hardly imagine a regional or local development process without digital development, especially since digital technology has been playing an increasingly important role in the management of local and regional affairs.

Omar Morro, President of the Council of the Region of Tangan-Texoum-Al Houceima, said the slogan of the conference, “Advanced Regionalism between the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow”, was consistent with the constant concern of the Regional Councils.

Morro said that implementing and developing the first advanced project in nine years had revealed the basic opportunities and challenges that must be dealt with.

The President, Association of Regions of Morocco, Bouaida Mbarka, said the conference was an opportunity for participatory approach and collective interaction on the problems raised.

Mbarka said it was to identify the nature of the challenges posed in order to make the Moroccan experience a success and to come up with solid, realistic and achievable recommendations that meet the expectations of all actors.

The aim, according to her, is to achieve the programmes and projects that they aspired to in order to draw and develop the areas that are authorised by the regulatory law and to promote investment for job opportunities and employment.

“Our first and last goal remains to create a democratic dynamic that benefits the population within the framework of justice,’’ she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

Tosin Kolade
Dec, Fri, 2024

General News

FG’s policies, reforms will impact populace in 2025 – ICSAN

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) says the populace will begin to feel the impact of the Federal Government’s different sectoral reforms to boost and revamp the economy in 2025.

ICSAN president, Mrs Funmi Ekundayo, made the assertion at the institute’s media parley on Thursday in Lagos.

Ekundayo stated that the different sectoral reforms which required gestational period would begin to gain a lot of traction in 2025.

She urged citizens to continue to be resilient for a positive horizon and a more prosperous Nigeria where the different reforms would have taken shape.

“Government has been doing a whole lot with regards to reforms but the room that is largest in this world is the room for improvement.

“We must improve the narrative as regards the country’s macroeconomic indicators and government must address inflation figures and continue with the right reforms in place to stabilise the economy.

“In a bid to diversify away from oil export, government must do better in the area of mechanised agriculture and provide the necessary support such as power and other essential infrastructure for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and manufacturing.

“We must develop the country’s human capital, spur innovation and ensure productivity is on the high side to create new economic growth opportunities,” she said.

The ICSAN president also urged government to address the cost of governance, ensuring it is at the barest minimum, to encourage the citizens to make the sacrifices required of them.

She added that government must expend more efforts to encourage digitalisation, while engendering policy sustainability.

“There is no environment with higher yields than Nigeria, but policy summersaults have been observed to affect investors interests.

“If we have a sustainable policy regime, investors will troop in and the economy will flourish better,” she said.

Addressing the new minimum wage increment, Ekundayo said the development was expected to significantly improve the purchasing power of Nigerians, particularly civil servants.

She noted that while the increment would help improve quality of life, standard of living, boost economic growth and increase productivity, it had the potential to inflate the economy.

Speaking on the institute’s achievements in the last one year, the ICSAN president said the institute had been able to record some remarkable milestones, forging partnership with various stakeholders.

She added that ICSAN had increased its penetration into the public sector to further entrench good public governance in the sector.

“We also unveiled our master’s in governance programme, signed several Memorandums of Understanding, got over 300 new members, collaborated with several state governments and began our penetration in the northern part of the country,” she said.

Ekundayo revealed that the institute’s old secretariat had been demolished, the award of contract signed off and work would soon begin.

She called for support in achieving the projected ICSAN tower, while the institute continued to partner with relevant stakeholders, provide value to members and make its contributions to national development.

She lauded the media for its worthy partnership in propagating the ethos of good corporate governance and pledged that the relationship would be deepened in the coming years. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris

Ismail Abdulaziz
Dec, Wed, 2024

General News

Tax bills: Tinubu committed to accountability- Information Minister

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By Emmanuel Mogbede

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu is committed to accountability on tax bills and will always act in the best interest of Nigerians.

Idris said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, while reacting to the ongoing nationwide debate on the new tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.

He said it was very inspiring to see Nigerians from all walks of life coming out to express their views and opinions on the new bills which were a matter of critical national importance.

“This is the very essence and meaning of democracy,” the minister said, adding that all commentators and groups should keep up the spirit of informed engagements.

Idris said that they should also strive to be respectful and understanding at all times in spite of the diversity of opinions.

“In the spirit of democratic engagement, there should be no room for name-calling or for the injection of unnecessary ethnic and regional slurs into this important national conversation.

“Similarly, it is important to be aware that there is a lot of misinformation and fake news circulating around the tax bills and the overall reform agenda of the Tinubu administration.

“The fiscal reforms will not impoverish any state or region of the country, neither will they lead to the scrapping or weakening of any federal agency.

“Instead, they will bring relief to tens of millions of hard-working Nigerians across the country and empower and position our states and the 774 local governments for sustainable growth and development,” he stated.

The minister said that the president was implementing an ambitious fiscal reform agenda that would devolve more resources to states and local governments, and ultimately, to Nigerians.

This, he said, was in the spirit of harnessing democracy that works for the people, adding that government had nothing sinister to warrant the suggestion that the process was being rushed.

Idris added that in line with the established legislative procedure, the Federal Government welcomed meaningful inputs that could address grey areas in the bills.

“In this vein, President Tinubu has already directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and relevant officials who worked on the drafts to work closely with the National Assembly to ensure that all genuine concerns have been addressed before the bills are passed.

“We are indeed witnessing, at this moment in the history of Nigeria, the most far-reaching, impactful and beneficial set of fiscal reforms that Nigeria has seen in decades.

“In addition to the four tax bills being debated and deliberated upon, there is also the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy for local governments,” the minister said.

According to him, the financial autonomy for local government will significantly empower that tier of government which is the closest to the people.

He expressed optimism that in all, the reforms would facilitate increased revenues without imposing additional tax burdens on the people.

Idris added that it would also make it possible for citizens to demand and enjoy greater accountability in the management of public resources at all levels of government.

He assured that the Tinubu-led administration would continue to champion policies that would close the loopholes and gaps through which Nigeria’s valuable public resources had been frittered away for decades.

“On top of this necessary foundation, the resources being conserved and realised from these reforms will be invested in critical infrastructure, including healthcare, education, transportation and digital technology, among others,” he said.

The minister also said that the resources from the reforms would be channelled to social investments beneficial to Nigerians and ensure that no one was left behind.

“This is the promise and the reality of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the minister stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

Ismail Abdulaziz
Dec, Wed, 2024

General News

New tax reforms’ll provide stronger social safety net- Nwoko

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By Deborah Coker

Sen. Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) has said that the four new tax reform bills presently before the National Assembly would provide a stronger safety net for Nigerians.

Nwoko, who is representing Delta North Senatorial District and a member of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment as well as Finance, said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said this was particularly so, if the presidency adopted his proposed model for National Social Security Agency.

According to him, Nigeria’s tax system has long been due for reform, and the four bills currently before the National Assembly, offers us a critical opportunity to address the deep-rooted fiscal challenges we face.

“Nigeria, with one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world, our revenue framework is not fit to support a population of more than 220 million people.

“Importantly, this overhaul can also provide a stronger social safety net, particularly if the presidency adopts my proposed model for a National Social Security Agency.

“I proposed contributions from taxes and the private sector as part of sustainable funding mechanisms for the Agency.

“However, for this promise to be realised, we must pair reform with strong accountability mechanisms and a commitment to effective implementation.

“This is not just about raising taxes; it’s about making them work better for everyone. Nigeria cannot afford to keep postponing these tough but necessary decisions.”

The lawmaker also said that it was not taxation that was the problem, but how the revenues were utilised for the benefit of the people.

He added that the concerns raised in opposition were not unique to Nigeria.

“Countries that have successfully implemented tax reforms, faced initial challenges but ultimately created systems that are fairer.

“The principle of progressive taxation is central to the success of these reforms, which is protecting small businesses and low-income earners while ensuring that those with higher incomes contribute proportionately,” he said.

NAN reports that the Senate on Nov. 28, passed for second reading, the tax reform bills forwarded to it by President Bola Tinubu in October.

The bill was thereafter referred to the Committee on Finance, which was asked to revert within six weeks.

NAN also reports that Tinubu on Tuesday, directed the Ministry of Justice to work closely with the National Assembly to address the concerns within and outside the legislature.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed this in a statement he signed Tuesday titled ‘President Tinubu committed to accountability on tax bills, directs Ministry of Justice to work with NASS on concerns.’

Mohammed said, “In line with the established legislative procedure, the Federal Government welcomes meaningful inputs that can address whatever grey areas there may be in the bill.

The Federal Government says the bills are aimed at overhauling the nation’s tax system.

These are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

The federal government said that the proposed legislation seeks to consolidate existing tax laws, establish clearer frameworks for tax administration, and create bodies like the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman.

However, critics argue that the reforms could disrupt the balance of fiscal federalism, potentially centralising tax authority and diminishing state revenues.

Notably, at a meeting on Oct. 28, the 19 Northern States, under the platform of the Northern Governors’ Forum, rejected the new derivation-based model for Value-Added Tax distribution in the tax reform bills.

They argued that the changes might adversely affect their regions’ financial autonomy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Tosin Kolade
Dec, Mon, 2024

General News

Tax reforms not targeted at regions- Presidency

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By Salif Atojoko

The Presidency has dismissed allegations that the tax reform bills before the National Assembly are designed to impoverish certain regions.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy stated that the bills aim to improve the lives of disadvantaged Nigerians without harming any region’s economy.

Onanuga stressed that the tax reform bills would not disproportionately benefit Lagos or Rivers states at the expense of other regions.

He criticised some commentators for spreading misinformation and attempting to incite public opposition to lawmakers.

He further explained that the bills do not propose the abolition of agencies such as NASENI, TETFUND, and NITDA.

Instead, they seek to consolidate earmarked taxes into a single tax that will be shared with these key agencies as beneficiaries.

“President Bola Tinubu initiated the Tax and Fiscal Policy Reforms to streamline tax administration, create a more conducive environment for businesses, and address the issue of multiple taxes, which have complicated the economic landscape,” Onanuga stated.

He urged stakeholders and public analysts to familiarise themselves with the contents of the bills and refrain from misleading the public.

Onanuga welcomed the public interest generated by the proposed reforms and encouraged leaders and stakeholders to participate in the Public Hearings organised by the National Assembly to share their views on the bills. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Tosin Kolade
Nov, Thu, 2024

Politics

Progressive Governors to back Tax Reform bills

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By Naomi Sharang

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has announced that the Forum will collaborate closely with the National Assembly to strengthen engagement on the proposed Tax Reform Bills.

Uzodimma disclosed this while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with progressive governors in Abuja on Wednesday.

He reiterated the Forum’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s reform initiatives, particularly the proposed Tax Reform Bills, which aim to improve Nigeria’s taxation system and administration.

The bills under consideration include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

Addressing security concerns in parts of the North-West, Uzodimma noted that security agencies are actively tackling the situation and assured the Forum’s continued support to enhance national safety.

He added that the governors discussed key national issues, including measures to back the Federal Government’s reforms and create additional palliative programmes to mitigate their effects on citizens.

Uzodimma stressed the importance of unity among the governors to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in driving national prosperity. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Ismail Abdulaziz
Nov, Tue, 2024

Politics

Tinubu’s reform agenda most credible- Okupe

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By Emmanuel Mogbede

A former Labour Party (LP) Chieftain, Dr Doyin Okupe, has described President Bola Tinubu administration’s reform agenda as the most credible compared to those of other presidential candidates in the 2023 presidential election.

Okupe, also a former Spokesman to former President Goodluck Johnathan, stated this while assessing Tinubu administration’s reform agenda.

“Though I never supported Tinubu ahead of the election; he is not my friend and we were not in the same party, in retrospect however, his reform agenda is the most credible.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda he (Tinubu) brought is one that can address, and is addressing, the country’s current challenges,” he said.

According to him, the renewed hope agenda is being meticulously applied by the president.

“Tinubu has a better policy document than any of his two rivals during the 2023 presidential election.

“Atiku Abubakar of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an experienced, knowledgeable and thorough-bred politician.

“I know that for a fact that he also came with a testament that would have been binding on him and Nigerians.

“But when you put the testament side-by-side the current reality on ground, it is not applicable,” the politician said.

He stated that Atiku’s testament, documents and preparations were hinged on some loans which he thought he could use to sort out some things if elected, stressing they were all theoretical.

This, Okupe said, was especially so, because by the time President Muhammadu Buhari was leaving office, no international financial institution was ready to borrow Nigeria money again.

Okupe said that if such institutions were ready to borrow Nigeria money, Buhari wouldn’t have gone to print money just at the tail end of his administration.

“So the premise Atiku placed his testament on was sinking and it can’t work.

“As for Peter Obi of Labour Party, he did not given any document to Nigerians that he was going to work on.

“In Labour Party, we didn’t have a document that we could adopt as a policy document for what was going on.

“All we were saying was that we wanted to take Nigeria from consumption to production; good rethorics, but it was not grounded either in policy development or principle application,” he said.

Okupe noted that the announcement of fuel subsidy removal by Tinubu on his inauguration day was a mere confirmation of an event that had happened under Buhari’s administration.

“Upon assumption of office, Tinubu addressed the issues in the country’s foreign exchange where some people were feeding fat on our foreign exchange earnings, using their contacts in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),” he said.

Okupe also noted that Tinubu implemented the student loan and consumer protection programmes, providing loans to low income earners in a systematic manner.

He recalled that the president paid off some debts that were going to cripple the country’s economy.

“Two months after getting into government, he put up a committee to look into tax reform which was in his agenda.

“This man (Tinubu) has a systematic, reliable, focused and applicable agenda that can take Nigeria to enviable heights,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Tosin Kolade
Nov, Tue, 2024

General News

Saudi crown prince praises Tinubu’s reforms

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By Salif Atojoko

Prince Mohammed Al Saud, the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, has assured Nigeria of support in its economic reform programmes.

The Crown Prince gave the assurance during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesman, said in a statement.

He said the two leaders explored potential areas for cooperation, particularly oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure and the constitution of the Saudi-Nigeria Business Council.

“Nigeria wants an agreement with the Saudi government over a proposed five billion dollars bilateral trade facility between the two countries.

“The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) invested $1.24 billion in 2022 to acquire a 35.43 per cent stake in Olam Agri, one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural firms.

“Talks are being held so that SALIC can have more stake in the company.

The Saudi hoped the investment would make Olam one of the biggest agro-allied businesses in the world,” said Onanuga.

He said the Crown Prince commended President Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting similarities with steps taken to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s stability and development when he became Prime Minister.

“He also assured Nigeria of his support and promised to motivate his team to realise the various areas of partnerships discussed at the meeting,” said the President’s spokesman. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Tosin Kolade
Oct, Thu, 2024

General News

Onanuga addresses misconceptions on tax reform

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By Salif Atojoko

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has addressed the misconceptions surrounding the tax reform initiated by the current administration.

He noted that the Northern Governors’ Forum on Oct. 28, led by Gov. Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, expressed opposition to the new derivation-based model for Value-Added Tax (VAT) distribution in the tax reform bills before the National Assembly.

He said the meeting also had traditional rulers from the region in attendance, led by Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, Onanuga said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He explained that the tax reform bills, endorsed by President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council, aimed to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration processes, enhance efficiency, and eliminate redundancies.

“These reforms emerged after an extensive review of existing tax laws. The National Assembly is considering four executive bills designed to transform and modernise Nigeria’s tax landscape.

“First is the Nigeria Tax Bill, which aims to eliminate unintended multiple taxation and make Nigeria’s economy more competitive by simplifying tax obligations for businesses and individuals nationwide.

“Second, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) proposes new rules governing the administration of all taxes in the country.

“Its objective is to harmonise tax administrative processes across federal, state and local jurisdictions for ease of compliance for taxpayers in all parts of the country,” he said.

According to him, the third bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, seeks to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

Onanuga assured that the reforms would not increase taxes, lead to job losses, or absorb existing departments’ duties, instead, they aimed to optimise and simplify tax frameworks, ensuring a more equitable distribution of tax obligations.

He said the reforms also sought to consolidate multiple taxes into a unified structure, reducing administrative fragmentation.

Regarding the proposed derivation-based VAT distribution model, Onanuga explained that the new proposal aimed to create a fairer system, considering the place of supply or consumption for relevant goods and services.

He said the reform would benefit states in the Northern region that produced VAT-exempt goods, ensuring they did not lose out on revenue.

“These reforms are crucial to improving Nigerians’ lives and were not intended to undermine any part of the country, Onanuga stated.

He said the bills would overhaul the country’s tax systems, generating revenue for all tiers of government to fund development projects.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru