Amidst the uproar and controversy surrounding the tax reform bills, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Tinubu’s decision was not to undermine democracy.

Mr Idris said this while giving an address at the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) 2024 Annual Public Lecture/AGM and Awards on Saturday in Kaduna.

The event, organised by the state chapter of NIPR, had the theme “Tax Reform: The Role of Public Relations In Fostering Constructive Dialogue For National Economic Renaissance”.

He said, “Even with our keenness for fundamental reforms of Nigeria’s tax system, Tinubu’s administration will never do anything to undermine the ideals of participatory democracy.

“Tinubu has always upheld the interest of all Nigerians wherever they are in this reform agenda that he has embarked upon.”

He said that worldwide, effective taxation was a source of financial power for the government to provide social services to its citizens.

Mr Idris emphasised that the nation’s tax administration system was long overdue for reforms on account of design and implementation flows.

He, therefore, said the ongoing review of the country’s tax laws was timely and crucial, especially as part of a larger state of macroeconomic reforms aimed at setting the country on an irreversible path of growth and development.

Mr Idris said Mr Tinubu has made it clear that the executive would listen to and work with all the stakeholders to ensure all concerns are addressed.

The minister said that as the president continues to implement a physical reform agenda for the country that would divulge more resources to the Nigerian states, citizens’ engagement will continue to take place.

Mr Idris restated his commitment to deploying innovative and comprehensive mechanisms to provide the public with insights and enlightened information that would foster trust and confidence in the reform narratives.

The minister commended Nigerians for expressing their opinions on the tax reform, which is of critical national importance, adding that it displayed what democracy should be.

He also commended  NIPR for providing a platform for Nigerians to engage and deliberate on the issues that concern them.

Governor Uba Sani said his administration has taken measures to make Kaduna State an investment destination, boosting the economy and creating more jobs.

The executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, said the tax reforms were to streamline the nation’s fiscal framework and improve operational efficiency.

Mr Adedeji, who doubles as the chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, said the federal government’s introduction of the reforms seeks to correct structural imbalances.

He said, ”This is particularly an over-dependence on oil revenues, which has resulted in fiscal challenges, encouraged corruption, stirred regional tensions, and fostered an inefficient rentier economy amid soaring debts.”

Mr Adedeji, represented by Kehinde Kajesomo, the FIRS deputy director, emphasised that the bills would collectively improve Nigeria’s revenue profile and make the business environment more conducive and internationally competitive, transforming the tax system to support sustainable development.

(NAN)