Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has called on the 10th Senate to endorse President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious development plans for Nigeria, which he believes are unmatched since the nation’s founding fathers.

Akpabio made this appeal during his address at the Senate retreat on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, an event organized by the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies held at the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel in Akwa Ibom State’s Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.

He emphasized the importance of supporting the roadmap outlined by President Tinubu and working with the executive to refine the plan where necessary.

Akpabio highlighted that Nigeria has not seen such a comprehensive development plan since the era of the country’s founding leaders, such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and Sir Ahmadu Bello.

He encouraged senators to take an active role in achieving the goals of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Manifesto,” which is focused on robust economic growth.

Akpabio particularly stressed the importance of public expenditure management, fiscal policy, and tax reforms in realizing these objectives.

The Senate President also acknowledged the need to finance these ambitious plans and highlighted that the “Renewed Hope Manifesto” includes a target of ten percent economic growth, emphasizing the role of the digital economy in achieving foreign exchange gains and job creation.

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The Senate retreat was opened by President Bola Tinubu, who noted that it is unacceptable that 84 million Nigerians, equivalent to 65 percent of the population, are classified as multidimensionally poor.

He expressed his commitment to improving the Nigerian economy, aiming for rapid, sustained, and inclusive growth, emphasizing the essential role of legislators in this process.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, explained that the retreat’s objective was to contribute to the discourse on fiscal policy and tax reforms.

He underscored the importance of ensuring that these reforms align with the executive’s economic agenda and bring about tangible economic improvements without adding to the citizens’ economic burdens.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, added that high spending on debt servicing places constraints on fiscal resources for other development needs.

He highlighted the need to address the nation’s fiscal challenges through legislative frameworks and measures.

The retreat marked the National Assembly’s commitment to the socioeconomic agenda of President Tinubu’s administration and demonstrated a shared commitment to fiscal and sectoral reforms.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, represented by Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi, praised the 10th Senate for its dedication to making laws that drive economic prosperity and the well-being of Nigerians.

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The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, highlighted the National Assembly’s commitment to align with fiscal and sectoral reforms through its focus on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

The retreat served as a platform for engaging with critical fiscal and economic issues and for fostering dialogue and cooperation between the legislative and executive branches to ensure the country’s sustainable development.