Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume has expressed unwavering support for tax reform bills, describing them as visionary legislation designed to revamp Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking during a media event on Sunday, Akume emphasized that the current tax system is over 50 years in operation and fails to provide maximum benefits to Nigerians.
He urged that comments on the bills should be based on their intent, purpose, and credibility, rather than sectional or primordial feelings, citing their nationalistic and pro-poor nature.
Addressing issues surrounding fuel subsidy removal, he said that its removal is the best decision taken by the Federal Government in the best interest of the people.
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Akume added that the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and Conversion Kits are some of the many alternatives already put in place to cushion the effect of the removal and stabilize the economy.
Speaking on Local Government Autonomy, the SGF assured that the 10-man Inter-Ministerial Committee to Enforce the Supreme Court Judgement on Financial Autonomy to Local Governments will soon submit its report in compliance to the ruling of the apex court.
He asserted that the Local Government Autonomy is not arbitrary, but is pursuant to the dictates of the Constitution of Nigeria which stressed the autonomy of the three tiers of Government.
On the implementation of the Oronsaye report, Akume pointed out that President Bola Tinubu has taken a bold step to commence the implementation of some parts of the report, since when the report was submitted by the previous Government without taking any action.
He stressed that policy decisions have to be fine-tuned before full implementation to avoid duplication of functions among MDAs and in the best interest of Government and the people.
He called on Nigerians to unite and give President Tinubu the required support in order to deliver on his mandate for the prosperity of all Nigerians.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
