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By Sunday Ani
The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has commended the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, for his exemplary leadership in suspending public hearing on the controversial tax reform bill.
The group said the move demonstrated his commitment to inclusivity, fairness, and justice.
It noted that the establishment of a committee to engage with the Attorney General and relevant stakeholders would ensure that no region or demographic was marginalised in the pursuit of national development.
The group stated that the committee’s resolution on tax reforms must prioritise equity and justice, reflecting the principles of inclusivity and ensuring that every Nigerian has an equitable share of the nation’s wealth and opportunities.
A statement by the group’s National Coordinator, Israel Uwejeyan, called for the revival of the Warri and Calabar Ports, citing their strategic advantages and potential to foster equitable wealth distribution and regional development.
It noted that reviving the ports would decongest the existing ones, create jobs, stimulate regional economies, and ensure balanced national growth.
It also appealed to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to institute robust consultative frameworks within their respective states to enable citizens and stakeholders contribute to the ongoing discourse.
The NDYC expressed confidence in the leadership of the Deputy Senate President and the Senate Committee to present a tax reform resolution that reflects the collective aspirations and interests of Nigerians.
The statement read: “We strongly call on Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, representing the South-South region and his colleagues in the committee to prioritise the immediate revival of the Warri and Calabar Ports as a matter of urgency. These ports, with their strategic advantages, including shorter haulage distances to catchment states like Anambra, Delta, Edo, Enugu Imo and others, are critical to fostering equitable wealth distribution and regional development.
“The Warri Port, in particular, boasts of unique features such as self-sustaining cargo generation and improved vessel turnaround times, making it a vital asset for Nigeria’s maritime future. Revitalising the ports will decongest the existing ones, create jobs, stimulate regional economies, and ensure balanced national growth.
“Furthermore, the NDYC appeals to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to rise to the occasion by instituting robust consultative frameworks within their respective states. These structures will enable citizens, civil society organisations, and other relevant stakeholders to make meaningful contributions to the ongoing discourse. By ensuring grassroots participation, the NGF will foster transparency, inclusiveness, and a stronger sense of ownership in the reform process.
“Finally, we reiterate our confidence in the leadership of the Deputy Senate President and the Senate Committee to present a tax reform resolution that will reflect the collective aspirations and interests of Nigerians. This is a historic opportunity to entrench justice, equity, and fairness in our nation’s fiscal architecture, and we trust that it will be seized with the utmost sense of responsibility.”
