BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Catholic Bishop of Archdiocese of Sokoto, His Lordship, Most Reverend Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah on Tuesday said the tax reform bill if passed would transform the nation into economic prosperity.
The Bishop and founder of Kukah Centre said this on Channels Television’s morning brief on Tuesday, stating that 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.
The Tax Reform Bill under President Bola Tinubu’s-led administration which have passed second reading is facing vehement pushback from notable northern groups and figures such as the Northern Governors Forum, Northern Elders Forum, National Economic Council, and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, among others, have publicly voiced their opposition to the bill and demanded its withdraw.
The provisions of the bill, they said does not reflect the interest of the region and would amplify poverty and underdevelopment and other social economic challenges.
However, the Bishop of Sokoto urged the Federal Government to ensure that the ongoing reforms lead to development of the country. He added that mismanagement of the nation’s resources by its elites has left it in a ruinous state.
He attributed some challenges faced to the problem 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.”
Bishop Kukah emphasized further, “Nigeria is a very energetic country with people that are so eminently gifted and are roaring to soar at any time.
“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.”