Southern Caucus lawmakers, welcomes Tinubu’s Tax reform bills
…says it is open to more dialogue, views from Nigerians
By Tom Okpe
Southern Caucus of the House of Representatives, said the tax reform bills initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a welcome development in the country.
Leader of the caucus, Rep Nicholas Mutu however while briefing the media said they are open to more dialogue and views from Nigerians.
This move is seen as a positive step towards addressing the country’s fiscal challenges.
The tax reform bills, which include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2024, and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024, aim to improve fiscal governance, transform public revenue architecture, and boost economic growth.
Lending his voice, a member of the caucus from Bayelsa State, Rep Fredrick Agbedi informed that they were in touch with their constituents.
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He said: “We are open to dialogue. This is just the first process to just to inform you that we’ve received the bills. In addition to what the leader of southern caucus has said, it is the responsibility of the House of Representatives, the Senate and the National Assembly to receive proposal of any sort of bills from either the executive or individuals. Once they are received, they go through House procedures. And then the public will be invited.
“Here the President has sent an executive bill, what the southern caucus is saying is that we are ready to take up our official responsibility of making laws for the nation. And so, we welcome the bill. As we process it, inputs are made from various states and Constituencies.
“So, we are in consonant with our constituents that we represent. We are ready to work to ensure that we give a better tax laws to Nigeria. That’s what we are saying. There’s nothing about southern and northern divide. The National Assembly responsibility is to make laws for this country.”
On his part, Rep Babajimi Benson from Lagos State also said that the bill will improve Nigeria’s tax system.
“The constitution gives the responsibility of making laws to the National Assembly. The National Assembly as you’re aware has two arms, Senate and House of Representatives, and we abide by the rule of law. The Executive can present bill and there are processes where those bills can be treated.
“Bills go through first, second readings and it’s passed for public hearing. There will be interests in one way and another. But our interest is to sit down with our brothers and at the end of the day, Nigeria will be better for it”, he said.
