Tax reforms to ease burdens on poor, boost livelihoods – Shettima

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima has defended the federal government’s tax reforms, insisting they will lift Nigerians out of poverty by slashing multiple levies on small businesses and low-income earners, not impoverish them as critics claim.

Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at an interfaith breaking of fast for Ramadan and Lent at the State House, he dismissed opposition narratives as falsehoods peddled by political detractors.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the event drew Federal Executive Council members, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, special advisers, senior special assistants and heads of agencies.

Shettima urged attendees to champion the reforms and actively counter misinformation. “The same people who are shouting hoarse that the tax reform is meant to pulverise further and pauperise the poor are far from the truth, but we have to go out and tell the truth to the people,” he said.

“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.

Highlighting broader economic gains, the Vice President pointed to rising foreign exchange reserves, unified exchange rates and the bold fuel subsidy removal – a move not flagged in Tinubu’s 2023 inaugural speech but which he said was essential to halt resource drain. “Three years down the road, the economy has bounced back,’’ he noted, praising the President’s courage in tackling issues dodged by past leaders.

Shettima called on officials to amplify the administration’s achievements and debunk opposition propaganda. “On behalf of the President, I want to thank you all for comradeship, support and partnership,’’ he concluded.