Tax Reform Bills: I Can’t Betray My People – Kano Rep

A House of Representative member, representing Gaya, Ajingi and Albasu Federal Constituency of Kano State, Dr Mustapha Ghali Tijjani, says supporting the controversial Tax Reform Bills will mean betraying his people for pecuniary and selfish gains.

This is as he also admitted that it has been quite tough resisting unrelenting and powerful lobbying from some colleagues to throw his weight behind the proposed bills currently before the National Assembly (NASS).

According to Ghali, there should be no denying the fact that Nigeria is not yet ripe for the implementation of the proposed tax reform bills, compared to other countries where the reform has been implemented and working effectively.

He explained that while the governments in those countries have provided conducive environment for the well being of the citizens, the reverse is the case in Nigeria.

In a chat with journalists in Kano, Ghali, who is a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), said he was intensely lobbied by a fellow lawmaker to support the contentious tax reform bills proposed by the Executive arm of government and presented before the Assembly.

Hear him; “There was an influential member from the South that met me and said, Dr Ghali you are privileged to have the wherewithal to stand and speak and you usually get the support of your fellow members. We have come to strike a deal with you today. We want you to support these tax reform bills.

“He told me that their reason was that when it is passed, Kano will also benefit alongside Lagos. If Kano benefitted you will also benefit. I said to him he is right, but I want Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara Sokoto, Kebbi also to benefit.

“My reason was if today I have a problem in Kano, before you come to my rescue from Lagos, I have called one from Jigawa, I have called someone from Katsina, Kaduna and Niger. So, even if Kano will benefit, what of my neighbours, those that I have always been at peace with?

“This indicates that these people have an ulterior motive. The good thing is that northern legislators have all sat and are working towards containing the issue.

“We all have our own priorities from our people that we are representing. Your interest should not be conflicting or against the other region. This is why we are telling people to stop fighting for political differences but for the success of our region.”

While urging Northerners at all levels to unite and speak with one voice to stop the bills’ implementation, the lawmaker further said; “Several countries across the world have implemented the tax reform bill and it is working for them. But at what point? You have to provide a conducive environment and development such as employment, hospitals, schools and other social amenities for the populace.

“Take for instance, England, United Arab Emirates, UAE and Saudi Arabia, where they implemented the bill and it is working for them. The government was able to do so based on the development provided and taxes collected from the well to do to ensure the sustainability of the developmental projects.

“So what we are saying is Nigeria is not yet ripe for the implementation of the proposed bill. It is not like we totally rejected it but the government has to provide the development and conducive environment before implementing the tax reform bill.

“I however appeal to northern lawmakers, governors, elders, business men and women, academicians and all relevant stakeholders to put heads together to ensure that the bill is set aside”.

On his legislative contributions at the National Assembly, Ghali said there are about 10 bills sponsored by him on the floor of the House.

He disclosed that these include the bill proposing the establishment of a Federal Medical College in Gaya which has scaled third reading and would soon be forwarded to the Senate and the President for their approval.

When finally established, the lawmaker explained that the Medical College would ultimately address issues of inadequate medical personnel while also assisting to improve the well-being of those residing in Gaya and its environs.