Arewa forum calls for tax reforms, energy security

The Chairman of the Arewa Economic Forum (AEF), Ibrahim Shehu Dandakata, has raised key issues affecting the people of Arewa and the broader Nigerian population, with focus on tax reform, energy security, and combating insecurity.

He emphasized that stability in Northern Nigeria is crucial for agricultural productivity, commerce, and mining potential, and called on government agencies to expedite their efforts.

Dandakata disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja, emphasizing that the project is vital for the economic survival of Northerners, particularly in light of the current exorbitant fuel prices in the country.

While commending the Federal Government’s efforts in tax collection reforms, Dandakata underscored the need for further changes, and advocated for replacing the current Value Added Tax (VAT) system, a complex, multi-layered structure, with a simpler sales tax model.

He said: “We believe that addressing our energy security and ensuring the availability and affordability of energy will be instrumental in driving economic growth.

“As we previously expressed during our discussions with the Federal Government regarding the Kolmani oil field in Bauchi, we reiterate our call for the government to site one of the four proposed 100,000 barrels per day refineries by Korean investors in Kolmani.

“This initiative would significantly reduce the costs of refining and transportation, while effectively meeting a substantial part of the northern market’s needs.

“ALso, the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, which had reportedly attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of about $3 billion, was designed to house a 120,000-barrels per day refinery, a 500-million standard cubic feet per day gas processing plant, a 300-megawatt capacity power plant, and a fertiliser plant of 2,500 tons per day.”

The Forum also urged the government to address the urgent need to address banditry, terrorism, and other organized
crimes leading to vandalism of infrastructure and desertion of farmland and several communities.

They added, “Counterinsurgency is critical to the stability of our region and the nation at large, especially concerning harvesting and exploring the potential of our agriculture, commerce, and mining resources.

“We implore government agencies at all levels to expedite efforts in this regard, so that our lives can become safer and more affordable, especially in light of the direct link between food inflation and insecurity.”

The Forum also expressed dismay at the actions of certain states and individuals who, they claim, threaten democracy by using the judiciary to undermine democratic norms, ethos, and values. Such actions, they warned, are detrimental to the nation’s well-being.