…Reps set for further action on bills
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives yesterday passed President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills for the second time with mix feeling from Nigerians
It would be recalled that President Tinubu had on Oct 3, 2024 transmitted four Tax Reform Bills to the National Assembly For immediate consideration and eventual passage; Nigeria Tax Administration Bill; Joint Revenue Board Bill; and Nigeria Revenue Service Bill.
The bills according to the President are aimed to simplify Nigeria’s tax system, reduce multi-layered taxation, expand the tax base, enhance compliance, and generate sustainable revenue for national development. They also seek to protect small businesses and address tax evasion.
When the Bill’s were mentioned during plenary, several lawmakers took turns to expressed strong support for the bill but Hon Sada Soli raised concerns that certain provisions might conflict with the 1999 Constitution.
He, therefore, used the opportunity to emphasize the need for a clear definition of derivation to prevent any ambiguity. He expressed confidence that the committee tasked with reviewing the bill would resolve potential issues before its passage.
But some lawmakers however, said three of the bills are without interpretation clause adding that a bill without interpretation clauses is a blind bill and is subject to misinterpretation.
On his contribution, Hon Kwamoti Laori cushioned that session 52 of the bill be checked as it gives the president unlimited powers, and we need to look into it so that it’s not abused.
Additionally, other lawmakers highlighted the 40 acts the bill seeks to amend, urging that they be presented before Parliament for review. They also called for the resolution of the multiple taxation clause related to property purchases, which mandates both buyer and seller to pay taxes.
In his contribution, the Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda commended the spirit of backing the bill even as he emphasized that the letter of bills should be checked to align with the demands of Nigerians.
Having exhaustively debated on the Bills, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abass, who presided over yesterday plenary referred the consolidated bills to the House committee on Finance for further legislative actions.
It would be recalled that the bills had sparked widespread controversy and criticisms and stiff opposition from many section of Nigeria including northern governors and opposition politicians, economy experts who demanded their withdrawal from the National Assembly.
However, the tides began to turn as several caucuses began to endorse the bills, among them includes, the South South Caucuses, the South West among others.
