• Says over reliance on crude oil dangerous, unprogressive for nation’s economy
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Archbishop, Anglican Communion of Kaduna Province, Timothy Yahaya, has taken a critical analysis of Nigeria’s tax reform bills, saying that until each of the 36 states is able to produce and boast of one agricultural produce for export, the nation cannot move forward.
The cleric noted that the reform, if implemented, would stimulate the economy.
Bishop Yahaya said it was dangerous and unprogressive for the country to put its eggs in one basket by relying solely on crude oil as the only source of the nation’s major export.
He lamented that the money that had been spent on turn around maintenance of the nation’s refineries over the years was enough to build additional refineries, adding that Dangote refinery should be the country’s choice to avoid further importation of fuel.
He said: “The tax reform bills as far as I am concerned is something that is going to stimulate the economy of this country. When we remain as a country that is meant for rent economy, I don’t think it is the best. The sharing of money is not the best for this country. Go to America, some states are known for oranges, some are known for apples, so what is a particular state in Nigeria known for? We are only known throughout the 36 states of the federation for crude oil. Is that how we should be known? Some states should be known for the productiontion of cocoa, and rubber, some States should be known for the production of plantain, we can export it, some States should be known for the production of ginger, some States should be known for the production of sorghum all over the place, some States are good for rice production, I know the rice belts in this country. Honestly, if we are going to produce rice, every part of the world will see our rice.
“But again I said, in this country when leaders don’t think outside the box and think of creating wealth, but they only think of sharing what we extracted from the ground, we have a very big problem. I have also had some mediocre arguments, the money we have collected over the years, what have we done with it. So if everybody knows that he must farm in his house to eat, if everybody knows that what he produces is what he is going to eat, I think we are going to put on our thinking cap, and in the next five to ten years Nigeria will be catching with first worlds, that is my belief, there is no bias against it. But when you just sit down and people give you fish, will you learn how to fish, will you learn how to produce fish?. That is my take on tax reform bills.
“Government has promised us refineries, where are the refineries today. So we want the government to answer the question, where are the refineries? Because the money we have used for the turn around maintenance of refineries from the beginning till now is more than the money Dangote used to build one of the biggest refineries in the world. There is something wrong somewhere, and I think government should do a forensic study and audit of how it spends its money because the watch word for every leader is what is the value for money, do we really get value for the money we are expending on behalf of Nigeria. I think we need to look inward. And we need to ask ourselves salient and truthful question that will help our country to move forward
“What are the indices that informed the prices of petrol, when the subsidy was removed I was one of the people that was happy thinking that this money will be ploughed back to Nigeria, but we continued as usual. I cannot tell you today as a person, this is how much we have saved , this is how much subsidy has advanced Nigeria. So where is the subsidy money, where is it going? The only thing the poor man had before was the subsidy of petroleum, whether it is a scam or a reality, only those who operate it know.
“But we as Nigerians are still asking, if subsidy is gone, what has replaced subsidy?. We need to reduce the price of fuel because I am not sure the cost of production is up to what they are selling. I want them to prove to Nigerians beyond reasonable doubt. Look, refining and mining of crude oil is not nuclear science, it is a very simple technology, so why are they making it very difficult. Why are people not coming very transparently to us. So as far as I am concerned, I don’t know what is covering the pump price that we cannot explain. That is why I am crying.Remember how Dangote refinery has to fight all over the place to survive.
“Instead of Dangote refinery to be our number choice so that our dollars can be stronger, we still prefer to import. Can you imagine that kind of a thing? So for me, if you ask me the more I see the less I understand because it is like some people have decided that this country must not move forward.I pray in the spirit of Christmas that the Lord will help this country to move forward.
“One of the things that is biting hard in Nigeria that I want government to address is hunger. And I want to say this with every sense of respect, the amount of money I see being churn out in the name of agriculture in Nigeria, where is the money going?. I think there should be a probe, there should be a serious investigation on all agencies of government that have to handle agriculture in this country. The type of money I see, I myself, I am a farmer. By now Nigeria should be exporting food more than exporting crude oil, but when these monies come out, where do they go? We need to ask this question because Nigerians are so hungry in a country where we can feed the whole of Africa. This is one area government should look into.
“Another area is the fact that prices of essential commodities are getting out of hand. And atimes, some of these things are gimmicks of fellow Nigerians. I want government to look at it critically, the prices that our people are paying for goods and services, am not saying price control, but let them be paying reality, and not just be paying speculation, because you cannot imagine a price of a commodity in the morning, but different price in the afternoon and evening. The rate of inflation is unbelievable. So I think those who manage our economy must do something to curb inflation in 2025.
“And apart from that, I want to plead with the government, the relationship between the security forces and civilians in this country with some of the videos we see on social media, I can’t believe it, even yesterday I was watching a video of a military officer protecting some Chinese who had violated the law. I don’t think that is the same thing that happens in China. I want the government to investigate. I want to say with every sense of respect to the security forces, some of them are doing their best, but who are the bad eggs within them? If those things are addressed I think this country will be great and better.
“My message to Nigerians on Christmas day is like the Angel that came on the day of Christmas and said, fear not, for today is born unto you a child and there is great joy in the whole world. So I tell Nigerians, fear not. The God that has been with Nigeria since creation, is still the God that is there today. With all that we are going through, it will come to pass, it will be over, and I believe that after this storm, there will be a better and greater Nigeria.
“So I don’t want Nigerians to lose heart, I want them to be encouraged. But furthermore, Christmas is a time of sharing. We supposed to remember those who are downtrodden, who are not privileged, those in the hospital, those in the orphanage, those even in the prison, if we can remember them and put joy in their faces at a time like this, it will be a great time and it will be a great message that everybody is happy because a Saviour is born,” Bishop Yahaya said.