Senator representing Borno-South senatorial district in the National Assembly,, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has responded to growing concerns about the economic survival of the North, asserting that the region is not parasitic.
Ndume, a former Senate Leader emphasised that all regions in Nigeria rely on one another, regardless of wealth. He said, The North was, is, and will never be a parasite or dependent on any region or even the country, Ndume declared. We are assets, not liabilities, to Nigeria.
Ndume also addressed the ongoing tax reforms, dismissing claims that the proposed changes solely target the North. He argued that the reforms, which primarily affect low and middle-income Nigerians, are a national issue, not a regional one.
Ndume expressed concerns about the potential impact of the proposed reforms, highlighting issues such as the question of derivation and Value-Added Tax, (VAT). Those who think that the current tax reforms are only against Northern interests are naive. As it is, the law is against all low and middle-income Nigerians, he stated.
He emphasised the need for holistic government reform, citing the unsustainable allocation of 50 to 60 percent of the budget to personnel and overhead expenditures.
Ndume, who was recently removed as Chief Whip of the Senate for his outspoken views, urged for further consultations before pushing the tax reform Bills forward. Im still insisting that the Tax Reforms Bills be withdrawn for more consultations and buy-in of critical stakeholders like state, local government, and private sectors, he stressed.
The Senator also suggested that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) focus on expanding its tax net and improving accountability and transparency, and called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to scrutinise commercial banks, urging them to contribute more to national revenue through higher taxes on their substantial profits.
