Utilize New Tax Regime Proceeds For Development- Onaiyekan Urges FG

The Arch Bishop Emeritus of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onayikan has stressed the need for the Federal government to judiciously utilize the funds generated from the new nation’s tax system towards infrastructural development for improved living standards of the citizens.

Cardinal Onayikan made the call at the church service to mark the Ten Years Anniversary of Divine Love College in Kuchikau, Karu local Government area of Nasarawa state.

He expressed the belief that the new tax regime of the Federal Government would further boost the nation’s revenue profile and advised that the proceeds should be channeled to critical sectors like education, health and other infrastructural development that will enhance social Economic activities across the country.

John Cardinal Onayikan also called for a conducive environment that will encourage private – public- partnership in education, health and provision of social amenities that have direct impact on ordinary citizens.

In his words, “not only the natural resources, but we are hearing about taxes now, but we are not hearing enough about social services, Nigerians who complain to pay taxes, if at the end of the day, we can get free education, free health care and good houses, we will pay for it and be happy to enjoy it.”

“But if you are told to pay taxes, you keep paying taxes and you don’t do anything from it and you expect us to clap. No I cannot clap for that now. ”

Sister Chidebelu Nwigwe of the Congregation of Divine Love College expressed the importance for all educational institutions to embrace digitalization to enable Nigeria meet current global realities.

According to her, a few years ago we were hearing about globalisation, but today the whole world is at the heart of it, and we are looking for how to move this school forward in such a way that children who pass through these schools will never be left behind.

Sister Nwigwe, however, called on the government at all levels to increase investment in the education sector, which she described as the bedrock of the growth of any nation.

“The government should stretch their hands and bring out the money that belongs to this country and fund education effectively.

We can not afford to have the natural resources, abundance of it in this country, and our children will continue to roam the streets without doing nothing. Insecurity is about idleness. When people are not educated, they can not plan for themselves, and the world has changed.”

The highlight of the Thanksgiving service was fundraising to further boost infrastructural development needed to meet the global standards in the educational sector.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji