The Arewa Think Tank has stated that the new tax laws introduced in the country will help the North to generate more revenue and exploit the abundant natural resources in the region.
The position was made known in a communiqué signed by the Convener of the Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, in Kaduna on Tuesday at the sensitisation programme on tax reform laws by the current administration.
The communiqué noted that the tax reform presents a great opportunity for Northern Nigeria to wake up, become creative, innovative, and economically self-reliant.
It said, “Our region is blessed with vast solid minerals, agricultural potential, and human capital. What the reform offers us is a pathway to responsibly exploit these resources, grow our internally generated revenue, and reduce over-dependence on federal allocations.”
It noted that the tax reform is a great opportunity for the North to meaningfully engage the Federal Government and the National Assembly on constitutional amendments that will allow states to exploit their mineral resources for development and for the benefit of their people.
“There are big fortunes and prospects in these reforms. If embraced today, they will secure prosperity not just for us, but for generations yet unborn.”
It further appealed to northern political, traditional, and opinion leaders not to succumb to fear or misinformation, urging them to support the reforms that will propel the progress of the North and other regions of Nigeria.
“Let us think beyond today and act in a way that ensures that even after we have departed this world, our children and grandchildren will reap the benefits of our decisions.
“We urge Northern state governments to leverage these reforms to: Diversify their economies, strengthen internally generated revenue, invest in education, healthcare, agriculture, solid minerals, and infrastructure,” it added.
It also reaffirmed clearly and without hesitation the Arewa Think Tank’s stand with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the implementation of the Tax Reform Laws.
DAILY TRUST.
