The 19th Northern States Governors Forum and the Northern States Council of Emirates and Chiefs have rejected the current tax reform bill forwarded to the National Assembly as it is against the interests of the region.

To this end, the forum unanimously rejects the proposed tax amendments and calls on members of the National Assembly to oppose any bill that can jeopardise the well-being of the region.

The forum also recalled on the federal government and the relevant authority to restore the current electricity blackout facing the region.

This was contained in a communiqué read on behalf of the governor’s forum and Northern traditional rulers, which was read by the governor’s forum chairman, Alh Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House at the end of their joint meeting in Kaduna on Monday.

The Forum resolves to call on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to urgently address the current electricity power blackout affecting most of the Northern States due to the vandalisation of electricity transmission infrastructure.

“This matter not only underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure but also the need to build additional transmission lines and diversify our energy supply so as to better connect our region and improve our energy resilience.

“Forum agrees that Northern Nigeria holds immense agricultural potential, which, if fully harnessed, can significantly alleviate hunger and boost economic growth. To achieve this, we resolved to provide adequate support to our farmers, including access to financing, modern farming techniques, and infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems.

“Agriculture should not only be seen as a means to feed our people but also as a catalyst for industrialisation and job creation across the region. That can be achieved through the re-industrialisation of the North, especially by reviving the textile value chain and the development of other agro-allied industries.

“Forum commends His Excellency, the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the reform initiative in the livestock sub-sector and agreed to provide the necessary political will and commitment to ensure the success of the Federal Government livestock development initiatives.

“The Forum also agreed to sustain engagement and cross-fertilisation of ideas with the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee to achieve greater results.

“Forum acknowledges the fact that climate change has greatly affected our environment, resulting in the recent flood incidents in many parts of the North, and therefore resolved to partner with the Federal Government and other stakeholders to build irrigation infrastructure like canals and waterways to divert excess water and channel it towards irrigation activities, thus enhancing rural livelihoods and safeguarding food security.

“Forum agrees to support and key into any initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of out-of-school children and improving educational outcomes in the sub-region.

“Forum notes with dismay the content of the recent Tax Reform Bill that was forwarded to the National Assembly. The contents of the bill are against the interests of the North and other sub-nationals, especially the proposed amendment to the distribution of value-added tax (VAT) to a derivative-based model.

“This is because companies remit VAT using the location of their headquarters and tax office and not where the services and goods are consumed. In view of the foregoing, the Forum unanimously rejects the proposed tax amendments and calls on members of the National Assembly to oppose any bill that can jeopardise the well-being of our people.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Northern Governor’s Forum is not averse to any policies or programs that will ensure the growth and development of the country. However, the Forum calls for equity and fairness in the implementation of all national policies and programs so as to ensure that no geopolitical zone is shortchanged or marginalised.

“On the present economic hardship affecting the country, the Forum is appealing to all citizens to remain calm, as the states and federal government are working hard to implement measures that will cushion the effects of the hardship,” the communiqué added. (Nigerian Tribune)