Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the Federal Government’s proposed tax reforms are aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians, particularly small business owners and low-income earners, by eliminating multiple levies and reducing poverty.
Shettima made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at an interfaith breaking of fast for Ramadan and Lent held at the State House.
Addressing members of the Federal Executive Council, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, presidential aides, and heads of government agencies, the Vice President said the reforms were carefully designed to strengthen livelihoods despite criticisms from political opponents.
“The same people who are shouting hoarse that the tax reform is meant to further pulverise and pauperise the poor are far from the truth,” Shettima said.
He urged government officials to actively engage the public and clearly explain the benefits of the administration’s economic policies.
“We have to educate them. We have to mount the pulpits and take our government to the Nigerian people and tell them the truth,” he added.
Shettima highlighted several outcomes of the administration’s economic reforms, including improved foreign exchange reserves, the unification of exchange rates, and the removal of the fuel subsidy, which he said had for years benefited only a few individuals.
According to him, President Tinubu deserves commendation for taking difficult decisions that previous administrations avoided.
The Vice President noted that although the removal of the fuel subsidy was not included in Tinubu’s 2023 inaugural address, the President had to act quickly after it became clear that the subsidy regime was draining the country’s resources.
“Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back,” he said.
Shettima also expressed appreciation to members of the administration for their support and collaboration in implementing the government’s reform agenda.
He urged government officials to continue highlighting the administration’s achievements and to counter what he described as misinformation from opposition parties about the impact of the reforms on Nigerians.