Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government’s proposed tax reforms are designed to improve livelihoods and reduce poverty, not worsen economic hardship.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at an interfaith breaking of fast for Ramadan and Lent held at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday, Shettima said the reforms would eliminate multiple taxation and ease the burden on small businesses and low-income earners.
According to him, the reforms were carefully planned and structured to support economic growth while protecting vulnerable Nigerians.
“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,” the Vice President said.
He urged members of the Federal Executive Council, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, special advisers, senior special assistants, and heads of agencies and parastatals in attendance to remain strong advocates of the administration’s policies.
Shettima stressed that the government remains genuinely concerned about the plight of Nigerians and is introducing policy measures aimed at lifting many out of poverty without imposing additional burdens.
Highlighting gains from ongoing economic reforms, he cited improvements in Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, the streamlining of exchange rates, and the removal of the long-standing fuel subsidy, which he said had disproportionately benefited a few individuals.
The Vice President noted that although the removal of fuel subsidy was not explicitly mentioned in the President’s 2023 inaugural speech, it became necessary to halt what he described as a drain on national resources.
Commending the President for his courage in tackling issues previous administrations had avoided, Shettima declared that the economy had rebounded three years into the administration.
He also called on government officials to intensify efforts in communicating the administration’s achievements to the public and to counter misinformation from opposition parties.
The event was attended by top government officials and senior aides as part of activities marking the ongoing Ramadan and Lent seasons.