The 19th Northern States Governors Forum and the Northern States Council of Emirates and Chiefs have rejected the current tax reform bill forwarded to the National Assembly as it is against the interests of the region.
To this end, the forum unanimously rejects the proposed tax amendments and calls on members of the National Assembly to oppose any bill that can jeopardise the well-being of the region.
The forum also recalled on the federal government and the relevant authority to restore the current electricity blackout facing the region.
This was contained in a communiqué read on behalf of the governor’s forum and Northern traditional rulers, which was read by the governor’s forum chairman, Alh Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House at the end of their joint meeting in Kaduna on Monday.
The Forum resolves to call on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to urgently address the current electricity power blackout affecting most of the Northern States due to the vandalisation of electricity transmission infrastructure.
“This matter not only underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure but also the need to build additional transmission lines and diversify our energy supply so as to better connect our region and improve our energy resilience.
“Forum agrees that Northern Nigeria holds immense agricultural potential, which, if fully harnessed, can significantly alleviate hunger and boost economic growth. To achieve this, we resolved to provide adequate support to our farmers, including access to financing, modern farming techniques, and infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems.
“Agriculture should not only be seen as a means to feed our people but also as a catalyst for industrialisation and job creation across the region. That can be achieved through the re-industrialisation of the North, especially by reviving the textile value chain and the development of other agro-allied industries.
“Forum commends His Excellency, the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the reform initiative in the livestock sub-sector and agreed to provide the necessary political will and commitment to ensure the success of the Federal Government livestock development initiatives.
