Tinubu’s Finance team in NASS, defends high cost of living, resolves to address inflation
· We’re much better than we were on May 29, 2023 – Wale Edun
By Mathew Brangyet
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy, Wale Edun and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, on Tuesday, led the Federal Government’s team to the National Assembly to defend the current high cost of living in the country, assuring Nigerians of the Federal Government’s resolve to address the present plight being witnessed in the country.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso and the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji were part of the team who allayed the fears of Nigerians about the current high inflation.
They spoke when they appeared at the sectoral debate organised by the House of Representatives for the finance sector and stakeholders on the current cost of living at Plenary in Abuja.
The minister of finance, Edun said, “Where we are as a nation is a much better place than we were on May 29, 2023.”
He added that Nigeria as a country was on the road to economic disaster by way of subsidy on fuel, adding that it was expected that there would be challenges as a result of subsidy removal.
Edun said that inflation had increased and the cost of living had spiked, but stated that President Bola Tinubu was committed to protecting the poorest and the vulnerable.
“As things improve, there will be further intervention on behalf of the vulnerable to assist in the cost of living.
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“Let us be confident, calm, and assured that Nigeria will change in terms of economic management and that there will be intervention in every sector.”
According to him, there is a need to tackle inflation because full inflation accounts for 33 percent of the consumer price index.
He said there was a need to return to production, adding that industry however, required energy to function optimally and that the President was also committed to using state power to subdue vested interests in the oil sector.
On his part, the Minister of National Planning, Bagudu said the president was committed to national development, pointing out that the president reckoned with the challenges of the living conditions of the people.
“What is happening in our country is obvious to someone visiting a construction site; we are very clear that we are on the right path and the challenges of the moment are being tackled.
“We are getting support from international partners, and they are all acknowledging the commendable steps that the president is taking.
“We have seen investments in the rail sector, the NNLG, and we assure you that we will overcome the challenges of the moment and sustain the economic growth as promised by the President,” he said.
In a related development, Cardoso expressed confidence that positive outcomes from the administration of Tinubu were already emerging and would further emerge in the near future.
“The concern as per the cost of living is genuine, and the urgency of the matter is not lost on us at the CBN, and we are working tirelessly to bring up a lasting solution.
He said inflation was expected to decline in 2024, adding that this would be aided by improved agricultural productivity.
He said that the challenges of the exchange rate had been tackled, adding that they were fueled by speculation, increased forex demand, increased capital outflow, excess liquidity, and increased demand, among others.
He said the CBN was addressing the forex demand by clearing forex operations and adjusting the remuneration standard deposit, among others.
Speaking, the FIRS boss, Mr Adedeji, said the service was not a revenue-generating agency but a revenue-collection agency, adding that the agency was doing a lot to increase the nation’s revenue base.
According to him, the target for 2023 revenue was N10 trillion, and we achieved N12.3 trillion because of the decision taken by the president.
Adedeji said the president took the decision to rectify the distortion in the economic parameters and remove the fuel subsidy.
According to him, we have over performance from VAT collection and company income tax. We have the target of collecting N19.2 trillion in 2024.
The chairman added that the N19.2 trillion target was based on the fact that it would not collect new taxes but bring more people into the tax rate.
He said less than 60 companies, as of today, contribute less than 60 percent to the nation’s company income tax.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu told the Ministers, CBN and FIRS that it was imperative to recognize the urgency and importance of the agenda before it.
According to Kalu, we must also confront the stark realities of the economic, fiscal, and revenue challenges that our beloved nation, Nigeria, is currently facing.
“In the face of global economic shifts and domestic challenges, it is clear that robust reform measures are not just beneficial but imperative.
“We are at a pivotal moment where the decisions we make and the policies we implement will impact the lives of millions of Nigerians,” he stressed.
The reform should not only address immediate needs but also lay a resilient and dynamic framework that would adapt to future challenges and opportunities, the deputy speaker added.
“These measures should stimulate growth, foster innovation, and uplift the lives of every Nigerian,” he told the finance team of the federal government.
