Yobe NLC tells FG to impose heavier taxes on wealthy Nigerians

The organized labour in Yobe State said the Federal Government should tax the rich more in the country.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, (NLC), Yobe State, Muktari Musa Tarbutu, said there is nowhere in the world, where Government leaves its citizens totally to the vagaries of the market without some measure of control and protection.

“The Federal Government should therefore deal decisively with the criminal content of subsidy instead of exposing the ordinary citizens to avoidable pain and hardship.

“As a matter of urgent national importance, it is imperative to fix all our refineries to cater to the domestic fuel consumption”, he said.

Tarbutu tasked the federal government to go after parties associated with corruption such as over-invoicing, under-delivery of petroleum products, over-estimation of national capacity, crude oil swap, and smuggling among other irregularities and make those involved accountable.

“We need to support poor and vulnerable Nigerians through structured and comprehensive social protection.

“There must be comprehensive Government support for education and health sectors instead of commercializing them”, Tarbutu said.

He also called for the immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of the government including the recent hike in PMS price, school fees and VAT.

“The Federal Government should therefore deal decisively with the criminal content of subsidy instead of exposing the ordinary citizens to avoidable pain and hardship”, he urged.

The Acting Secretary to Yobe State Government, Baba Malam Wali, however, assured the protesting NLC and TUC members that their demands would be forwarded to the Governor for necessary action.