Nigerian lawmaker cautions United Nations Global Parliament on global taxation

By Tunde Opalana

A Nigerian lawmaker, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has cautioned the United Nations Global Parliament on global taxation.

The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District informed the United Nations that proposing a global tax to fund the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is inappropriate and unacceptable, as the international system is anarchic and lacks the authority to comply.

Ibrahim further asserted that there is no comprehensive international system in place. He made this statement during the inter- parliamentary opening session in New York yesterday.

According to the lawmaker, global taxes will further exacerbate inequality within the geocentric system and could also increase poverty, undermining the United Nations’ efforts to eradicate poverty by 2030.

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As an alternative, Ibrahim suggested that environmental polluters compensate Africa to alleviate the debt burden. ‘It is time for African legislators to act decisively and compel the rest of the world to pay compensation for climate impacts so that we can finance our SDGs.’

Ibrahim identified that, among other issues, the SDGs struggle to achieve the goal of poverty eradication because many who are invested in meaningful outcomes are being excluded.

Furthermore, there is a lack of transparency, a deficit of trust, a significant failure of multilateralism, and insufficient support from non-state actors for the SDGs.

Ibrahim informed the United Nations that the year 2030 is approaching rapidly, emphasising a major shortfall in achieving the primary goal of poverty eradication. He advises that a review is becoming increasingly necessary.

Senator Ibrahim openly praised President Tinubu for upholding his commitment to the SDGs in his budget proposal at the United Nations Inter- parliamentary.

He urged the United Nations to reflect inward, as time is critical for the success of the SDGs.