The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasised that the ongoing robust public debates on the Tax Reform Bills are critical components of democratic governance, noting that policy formulation and debates are inseparable.
Idris stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when he received the management of the Progressives Institute, led by its Director General, Dr. Lanre Adedayo, on a courtesy visit to his office.
The Minister added that constructive engagement with stakeholders and the public on any policy of the government would ensure that policies are well-aligned with the needs and aspirations of citizens.
“Let’s take the Tax Reform for example, that has generated so much debate with some people saying that the debate is against government policy or the President, and I tend to disagree. I think that these are healthy debates that all of us are having so that we can make this bill better. For anyone who thinks that debate and putting out policy are mutually exclusive, I think that’s wrong.
“There will always be the opportunity to have a healthy debate so that whatever government puts forward, can be made better. In any case, this is being done for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“Therefore, Nigerians have the democratic right to interrogate government policies, provided the commentaries are healthy and are geared towards making the policies better,” he said.
He emphasised that the Tax Reform proposed by President Bola Tinubu is not intended to place any part of the country at a disadvantage, rather, it is designed to promote inclusive growth and stimulate economic activities across the nation, in line with the president’s commitment to equitable development and prosperity for all Nigerians.
The Minister, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to actively participate in discussions on government policies, saying their contributions are invaluable in strengthening the nation’s democratic process.
Idris described the reforms instituted by the President as bold and tough, assuring however that they are the surest way to fulfill his campaign promise of promoting progress and prosperity for all Nigerians.
“Reforms are usually tough, usually hard, but once they are followed through, they deliver extraordinary results and we know that the direction that this government is going, we are extremely confident that all the reform processes that Mr. President has instituted will take us to the desired destination,” he stated.
Idris expressed delight that so far, Nigerians are beginning to see the benefits of the reforms, especially through the recent positive indices provided by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the performance of the economy.
He commended the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje for setting up the Progressives Institute, highlighting that it was envisioned to serve as the intellectual engine room of the ruling party and the government, through research on policies and programmes to be implemented, or being implemented by the administration.
In his remarks, the Director General, Dr. Adedayo, said for the first time in the history of political parties in Nigeria, the APC floated the Institute to serve as a think-tank and provide the intellectual foundation for capacity building, leadership recruitment, and research on policies of the administration.
He sought the support of the Minister for the forthcoming conference being organised by the Institute on skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and challenges of development in the country.
Adedayo further commended the minister for his strategic and effective approach to communicating the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, noting that it is neither combative nor reactionary.