Shettima Yerima, President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), has voiced serious concerns over the Federal Government’s approach to the contentious tax reform bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
In an interview with Saturday Vanguard, Yerima highlighted key flaws in the government’s strategy, including inadequate consultation, a lack of transparency, and limited public engagement, which he identified as major hurdles to securing public support for the proposed reforms.
Giving the reason why the North seems to be opposing the bill, Yerima said, “The tax reform bills depend on how individuals or certain interests perceive them. But for us, the government could have done better. The idea was fine, drawing inferences from the situation in the country. Even if we are doing fine, no country ignores taxation.
This is one major area where they can generate funds for development. The presentation was one of the problems. The managers of the bills did not do well, which is why you see the reactions coming from the north as if the region is anti-tax reforms.
“No. They brought the issue and politicised it, making it seem anti-north. The government can still do well by consulting, which is the first thing they should have done. Go through the National Assembly, and the elected representatives will now go back to their various constituencies to meet with their people.
“This way, the bill will enjoy the deserved legitimacy. I am happy that, at the end of the day, there is an understanding between the executive arm of government and the lawmakers. The lawmakers have also agreed to go back to their constituencies for further consultation. There are only a few grey areas I think they will amend and pass the bill. Certainly, the trouble it generated was unnecessary.”