Northern Governors and Emirs Meet, Address Security, Economic Challenges, and Tax Reform
October 29th, 2024
A high-level meeting between the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Ruler’s Council (Emirs and Chiefs) was held on Monday, October 28th, 2024. The meeting focused on critical issues affecting the region, including security, economic challenges, and the proposed tax reform bill.
Key Resolutions
Security: The forum condemned recent attacks in the region and commended the efforts of security agencies in combating terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities. They emphasized the importance of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and security and called for increased collaboration with security agencies.
Economic Development: The forum recognized the region’s agricultural potential and pledged to support farmers with access to finance, modern farming techniques, and infrastructure. They also called for the revitalization of industries like textiles and agro-allied sectors to create jobs and boost the economy.
Youth Empowerment: The forum acknowledged the need to address youth restiveness and pledged to invest in education, skills development, and job creation to reduce youth vulnerability to crime and social vices.
Infrastructure: The forum expressed concern over the recent electricity power blackout and called on the Federal Government to prioritize infrastructure development, including the construction of additional transmission lines and diversification of energy sources.
Climate Change: The forum recognized the impact of climate change on the region and called for the construction of irrigation infrastructure to mitigate the effects of floods and enhance agricultural productivity.
Education: The forum pledged to support initiatives aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving educational outcomes in the region.
Tax Reform: The forum strongly opposed the proposed tax reform bill, particularly the amendment to the Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution formula, which they believe would negatively impact the region.
Call for Equity and Fairness
The forum emphasized the importance of equity and fairness in the implementation of national policies and programs. They called on the Federal Government to consider the interests of all regions and avoid policies that could marginalize any particular region.
Appeal for Calm
In light of the current economic challenges, the forum appealed to citizens to remain calm, assuring them that both state and federal governments are working to alleviate the hardship.
Conclusion
The meeting between the Northern Governors and Emirs highlights the critical issues facing the region. The resolutions adopted by the forum demonstrate their commitment to addressing these challenges and improving the lives of the people of the North.
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