S/East Senators Call For Wider Consultations On Tax Reform Bills

Senators representing the five states in the Southeast have called on the proponents of the Tax Reform Bills to broaden consultations on the bills currently pending before the National Assembly.

Rising from a private meeting in Abuja Monday, the lawmakers spoke under the aegis of the Southeast Senate Caucus.

Leader of the caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the group does not oppose the reform bills. It however said consultations with stakeholders should be expanded before further actions by the legislature.

Abaribe said, “As senators from the Southeast, we are not against the tax reform bills. However, we insist on wider consultations with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts, state governments, and other critical stakeholders in our zone.

“We have reviewed the bills and feel it is essential to share our insights with stakeholders in the Southeast to ensure the final framework reflects equity and addresses regional concerns. Consultation is vital for inclusiveness and effective legislation.”

The reform bills, forwarded to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu last October have continued to generate controversy across the country.

Stakeholders in the North have been vocal in their opposition to the bills, saying that the reforms could hurt their region.

The National Economic Council (NEC) had similarly called on President Tinubu to withdraw the bills to allow for wider consultations with critical stakeholders.

The 36 state governors who are also members of the Vice President Kashim Shettima-led NEC have been vehement in their opposition to the bills.

The various political and interest groups in the North have also voiced their opposition to the bills, with the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum leading the charge.

However, senators from the South-South zone were unanimous in their endorsement of the reform bills.

While clarifying the position of the Southeast senators, Abaribe said the group would continue to engage relevant stakeholders with a view to ensuring the envisaged reforms are inclusive, equitable, and beneficial to all parts of the country.

“Specifically, we need to consult with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts in the zone, with our state governments, and with other critical stakeholders,” Abaribe added.

Components of the Tax Reform Bills 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.

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S/East Senators Call For Wider Consultations On Tax Reform Bills is first published on The Whistler Newspaper