Stakeholders from Nasarawa State have declared their support for the proposed Tax Reform Bill the Federal Government (FG).
The stakeholders were drowned from youth and women organizations, community and religious leaders, Traditional rulers, Student associations, and FG and state government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
They stated this at the commencement of the North-Central Citizens’ Assembly on understanding the Tax Reform Bill and feedback gathering on Tuesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The engagement was organised Mrs. Abiodun Essiet, North-Central, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement.
Speaking at the event, Sidi Bage, Emir of Lafia and Chairman of Nasarawa State Traditional Council appreciated the president’s aide for organising the engagement to enlighten the public and get their feedback.
The Emir represented Ishaka Dauda, Madaki Lafia, said that the forum would enable the people to know more about the proposed Tax Reform Bill.
He added that the traditional institutions were in full support of the Bill but appealed that the implementation of the bill when finally passed and signed, should be free of corruption.
“If the government removes corruption from the implementation of the law when finally passed and signed, the country will be better in terms of welfare and infrastructure,” the Emir added.
Also, Mr Augustine Akwe, State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA) said that the bill was aimed at simplifying tax laws, enhancing compliance, and boosting revenue generation for sustainable development.
He therefore, appealed to members of the public to key behind the federal government to ensure the success of the bill for the overall development of the country.
Meanwhile, Mrs Essiet, SSA to the president said that the engagement was aimed at getting the felling and feedback of the people at the grassroots on the proposed Tax Reform Bill.
“We created this forum to ensure that the voices of the people were not only heard, but, reflected in governance processes.
“This bill is pro-masses in every sense of the world and us designed to promote small businesses, entrepreneurship and create jobs for the youthful population,” she added.
The president aide further said that the government would continue to engage the people to get feedback even after the bill is eventually passed and signed into law.
The SSA also promised that similar engagements would be held in the remaining states of the North-Central to promote citizens participation in governance.
The highlight of the engagement included questions and answers session and the presentation on the breakdown of the Tax Reform Bill the representative of the Federal Inland Revenue Service. (NAN).