By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that President Bol Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the landmark tax reform bills, were necessary to yield positive results for transformative growth.
The ranking Senator, who represents Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, explained that revamping the nation’s laws, some of which are over 100 years old, was imperative and inevitable.
He argued that some of the legislation was obsolete and ineffective in meeting the expectations of the current global economic realities.
According to a statement from his media office, the former Abia State governor stated these at the Igbere home of Chief Daniel Eke, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant.
Regarding the tax reform bills, Kalu commended President Tinubu, describing his move as bold.
He, nevertheless, advocated for wider consultations, faulting its mode of introducing the proposed legislation to the National Assembly.
He said that Nigerians were not sufficiently educated before the bills were introduced.
He said that for Nigeria to make meaningful progress like China, the 36 states must compete with each other.
Kalu said, “Tinubu is a courageous leader who took the bull by its Horns; I’m not saying this out of sycophancy to gain any favors. As you all know, I’m an accomplished Politician and Business entrepreneur.
“We need to allow the President to carry out these reforms. Tax Reform is not a bad bill; it is progressive. The problem is that Nigerians were not lectured enough or oriented about its many benefits.
“The Tax Reform Bills are not bad, but we must carry other regions along. The other regions need to be educated on what the Tax Bill is all about.”
Referring to China, Kalu also explained that the Tax Reform Bills will encourage competition among states, which he said will harness State resources and improve productivity.
He said, “We can’t make any headway as a nation if we don’t follow China’s model, which is competition. Nigerians must face economic competition. Each of the 36 states should compete with each other in terms of productivity. Like China, that is the only way the country can grow and develop.
“President Tinubu is trying to ensure that all the states become competitive. A country like China has been growing for the last 35 years at a 10 percent growth rate, making it a great country.
“They are growing not because of human rights but because of competition. We must engage in competition if we want to grow. The practice of sharing free money in Abuja cannot continue.
“We must test our resilience. All our laws need reformation. They are over 100 years old, but we need to consult with the people. To catch up with other Nations, we should build more Universities. We are still backward.”
Kalu admitted Nigerians’ sufferings and commended them for their patience, expressing optimism that 2025 would be a year of positive outcomes from the Tinubu-led government’s economic policies.
He said, “President Tinubu is fully aware of the pains that people are passing through, and I am also aware, but some reforms are going on, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I understand the difficulties and sufferings of our people very well, so I urge Nigerians to be patient and know that we are going through a difficult process.”
Kalu reiterated his commitment to enhance his delivery of economic and infrastructural dividends to his constituents.
“I will continue doing my duty as a Senator, and that duty is very sacred, and I will never compromise. I had to leave my private companies worth millions of dollars to concentrate on my senator duty, which was more important.
“I had to show the people of Abia-North a distinguished way of being led by a Senator. I have replicated what I did as a Governor and returned the power to the people to decide who governs them. I have demonstrated as Governor and now as a Senator,” he said.
Eke appreciated Kalu’s visit and commended the Senator for his legislative impact in the Senatorial District.
He said, “Other Senators have given frying pans as empowerment, but we need good roads, employment, infrastructure, and industries to employ our people.
“Senator Kalu is not just doing his legislative work. He has also established processing companies that will employ our people, which is what matters most. He is doing this in the best interests of our people,” he added.
