Samson Ayokunle, who used to be the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), argues that many Nigerians are getting poorer because of rising taxes and the economic problems caused by recent government policies.
Ayokunle told Channels Television that the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy and the addition of additional taxes had made the financial situation of many residents much worse.
The priest says that the stress of rising costs and government-imposed taxes is making it hard for many Nigerians to pay for their daily needs.
“The people seem to be poorer because of what I see as never-ending taxes.” Ayokunle added, “The government doesn’t care where the money comes from.”
He said that even retired individuals who have served the country well are not free from the burden. He called the scenario alarming for a country that is having trouble with its economy.
“People who aren’t working anymore, like veterans on pension, are being taxed and forced to pay outrageous prices for gas to get out,” he stated.
In the past few years, Nigeria’s economic reforms have included getting rid of the petrol subsidy and trying to raise government revenue by collecting more taxes.
Ayokunle said that the policies have had terrible effects on regular people, even though officials insist they are required to stabilize the economy and pay for development.
He said that the administration made the changes with the goal of making the economy better, but he also said that they have not properly explained what they will do to help citizens.
“The subsidy has been taken away in order to help the economy.” But it’s not particularly clear how these harsh economic measures would affect people. “People are on their own,” he said.
The former president of CAN underlined that the government needs to put in place better social protection systems to protect Nigeria’s most vulnerable people from the severe economic climate.
He also asked for improved communication on how the advantages of ongoing economic reforms would reach regular people. He warned that not doing so could make people even more angry about the problems they are having.
Ayokunle’s comments come at a time when more and more people are talking about Nigeria’s economy. Rising fuel costs, inflation, and the rising cost of living are all putting strain on families across the country.
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