Northerners have been charged to seize the opportunities presented by the Tax Reform bills to promote economic growth and prosperity in their communities.
The charge was given by Hon Yakubu Dogar,b forme Speaker of the House of Representatives while speaking on a live interview with Channels TV.
He highlighted the importance of revisiting the Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution formula, which he identified as a central issue fueling debates over the tax reforms.
Dogara expressed support for a consumption-based approach to VAT distribution, arguing that taxes should be allocated to the locations where goods and services are consumed, rather than the headquarters of the producing companies. He emphasized that this method aligns with the principles of economic justice and would better serve the interests of Northern communities.
He stated, “The distribution formula is the core of the crisis, especially in the North. I fully support attributing VAT revenues to the places where goods are consumed rather than where the companies producing them are headquartered. This approach ensures fairness and addresses long-standing issues in our tax system.”
Dogara urged Northern stakeholders to embrace the reforms as a means of generating wealth and fostering development. He noted that discussions about economic justice are ongoing and will continue to shape Nigeria’s fiscal policies. “We need to capitalize on this opportunity to secure prosperity for our people and create a sustainable economic future for the region,” he concluded
