- He said the enormous human and natural resources Nigeria is endowed with must be properly harnessed and utilised in order to stem the tide of violence among its energetic youths.
Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and founder of the Kukah Centre, Most Reverend Mathew Kukah, shared is views regarding the the controversial tax reform bills of Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The fiery cleric said the bills were what the country needed to catapult it into economic prosperity.
The bill, which has passed the second reading at the Senate, is facing vehement pushback from different quarters, especially from elites in Northern Nigeria.
Notable northern groups and figures like The Northern Governors Forum, the Northern Elders Forum, the National Economic Council, and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, among others, have publicly voiced their opposition to the bill and demanded its withdraw.
According to them, the provisions of the bill do not reflect the region’s interests and would only worsen the poverty, underdevelopment and other socio-economic challenges the region is already grappling with.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Kukah asserted that the bills would halt the fiscal impunity and financial recklessness of the elites.
He urged the Federal Government to ensure that the ongoing reforms lead to the country’s development, adding that the mismanagement of the nation’s resources by its elites have left it in ruinous state.
He said the enormous human and natural resources Nigeria is endowed with must be properly harnessed and utilised in order to stem the tide of violence among its energetic youths.
“Nigeria is a very energetic country with people that are so eminently gifted and are roaring to soar at any time.
“However, our problem is the inability of states to create enough gatherings to contain the energy, vision, and competing narratives of their citizens. This lack of competitive gatherings often spills over into violence.
“But I hear you when you speak about all the issues identified. And I am excited about the issue of tax reform bills because, first, I know nothing about it. But I have started educating myself.
“Any form of reform at all must get this thoroughly dysfunctional country working again.
“So I am excited because hopefully, we can take the time to listen to the conversation about how to avoid and end this financial recklessness, and the irony of Nigerians living by the seaside and washing their faces with saliva.
“The reforms should end the narrative of Nigerians living in a country that is so richly endowed but are spectators to the rascality and irresponsibility of the elites who continue to mismanage our resources.
“So I’m hopeful that this is the beginning of a very long journey of fiscal management and efficiency that can lead to the growth and development of the kind of country that we envision,” the cleric said
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