Economy: Nigerian Government’s tax reforms will improve quality of citizens’ lives –VP Shettima

*Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the planning and implementation of Nigeria’s tax reforms were carefully designed to improve livelihoods, contrary to the claims of certain political detractors

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Government has said the implementation of new tax reforms will eliminate the burden of multiple levies and charges on small businesses and low-income earners in Nigeria.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who stated this Wednesday, March 4, in Abuja, FCT, noted the tax reforms would help to reduce poverty in the country.

Shettima spoke on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the interfaith breaking of fast for Ramadan and Lent held at the State House.

The Vice-President also noted the planning and implementation of the tax reforms were carefully designed to improve livelihoods, contrary to the claims of political detractors.

Attendees included members of the Federal Executive Council, the Central Bank Governor, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Heads of agencies and parastatals.

Shettima urged them all to remain champions of the government’s reforms.

Gains of economic reforms, by Shettima

The Vice-President further said government is genuinely concerned about Nigerians’ plight, and it is releasing policy instruments to lift many out of poverty without adding to their burdens.

He stated: “The same people who are shouting hoarse that the tax reform is meant to pulverise further and pauperise the poor are far from the truth, but we have to go out and tell the truth to the people.

“We have to educate them. We have to mount the pulpits and take our government to the Nigerian people and tell them the truth.”

Shettima also highlighted some of the gains of the economic reforms, including an increase in the nation’s foreign exchange reserves, streamlining of the exchange rates and the removal of a subsidy that had favoured only a few for many years.

According to him, President Tinubu should be commended for the courage to address the issues that past administrations avoided.

Vice-President Shettima said that the removal of the fuel subsidy was not mentioned in the President’s 2023 inaugural speech.

Still, the President had to announce it, knowing that the system was draining the economy of resources for development, stated Shettima.

He said: “Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back.

“On behalf of the President, I want to thank you all for comradeship, support and partnership.”

Shettima advised government officials to be more active in sharing facts about the administration’s achievements and to be ready to counter falsehoods propagated by the opposition parties.

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