The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Sokoto State Chapter has called on the Nigerian government to consider establishing more power stations and substations to address persistent issue of unstable electricity in the region.
State Coordinator of the coalition, Comrade Faisal Salisu, made the plea during a press conference in Sokoto State.
He said sokoto state and the entire northern part of the country suffer from an acute power crises which continued to stifled industrialisation and small businesses in the region.
“local government areas in sokoto such as Binji, Silame, Tangaza, Gudu and many more have spent over a decade without electricity, crippling their economic and social development.
“Reconnecting these areas to national grid is imperative to foster growth, enhance educational opportunities and improve the quality of life for residents,” he said.
He further solicited for reopening of borders in the region as border communities in Sokoto, Katsina, Borno and Kebbi witnessed a vivid paralysation in their commercial activities.
“Reopening of these borders is critical for revitalization of trade, providing livelihoods and ensuring economic stability in these areas,” he stated.
Proposed Tax Reforms
Faisal Salisu also called for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to suspend the implementation of proposed tax reforms during this critical period.
Comrade Salisu said the suspension would allow critical stakeholders to enrich the bills by making their inputs to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of resources without marginalising any region of the country.
“The consequences of Implementating the proposed tax reform bills will increase high rate of poverty and a fragile economy already exacerbated by insecurity and other socioeconomic disaster in the country.
“The reform will only benefit Lagos and Rivers States leaving the entire north along with South East and South-South with the short end of the stick.
“Distribution formula will leave Northern and Southern region of the country with drain resources, making it nearly impossible for many states to meet basic obligations such as paying workers salaries of funding critical services,” he said.
Detailed Data
further advised government to publish detailed data justifying the proposed value added tax VAT derivation formula to enable public evaluate its fairness.
Comrade Salisu also called on all northern stakeholders, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and Ulamas to stand united and protect the region’s future.
The Coordinator urged brothers and sisters in the South-East, South-South and some parts of the South-West to join the struggle in advocating for a just, fair and equitable Nigeria.
“The proposed tax reforms are not just about numbers and percentages, its about the lives and livelihood of millions of Nigerians.
“It’s our collective responsibility to ensure that no region or group is left behind in the pursuit of national development. We cannot afford to be silent while our future hangs in the balance,” Comrade Faisal Salisu added.
Confidence Okwuchi
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