by Nike Orimolade

President Muhammadu Buhari rode into government on ‘people power’ which ushered in a change agenda with the aim of rescuing the ship of state and Nigerians from a rudderless government while providing an environment that is enabling for good living. However, Nigerians are bemused that the government and the National Assembly have so quickly forgotten who brought them to power and have now turned around to inflict pain and hardship on the people through the proposed Communication Service Tax (CST) Bill.

The government argues that things are bad, the economy is on slow jam which is why it is seeking to raise N20 billion monthly through the CST in order to shore up its revenue, but must this be done at the expense of the citizens of the country?

Why must the helpless and innocent Nigerians bear the brunt of the country’s economic misfortune caused by the profligacy of our politicians?

The truth is that the tax will further compound the suffering of the people by adding to an already pathetic socio-economic situation of the vast majority of the people. It can only add on to the hardship of the masses, turning telecoms and cable television which is not necessarily affordable into luxury items like it was in era of NITEL.

While the ordinary Nigerians are over-taxed and burdened by high cost of goods and services, high foreign exchange and unpaid salaries, the political class are smiling to the banks. Our legislators are the highest paid in the world; they receive outrageous amount of money despite the economic crunch; buying exotic vehicles and luxury houses within and outside the country yet they are scheming to tax the ordinary people who are scavenging to make ends meet.

Nigerians did not bargain for this; we voted overwhelmingly for a government that would bring positive “change” yet many Nigerians are still finding it difficult to live within their earnings with the inflation hitting the ceiling.

The ordinary Nigerians have been severely short changed, cheated and insulted by these so called politicians. They must return their focus on the mandate of “Positive Change” and put the long term interest of the people before their own.

The Federal Government and the National Assembly sincerely need to halt the CST Bill and look for more creative ways to raise funds in the overall interest of the country.

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Nike wrote in the piece from Kwara

Roqeebah

Creative mind. Enthusiast. Learner. Multipotentialite. And here, an assistant editor.