President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Ministry of Justice to work closely with the National Assembly to resolve the concerns raised by the contentious Tax Reform Bills.
While in South Africa, the president ordered a review of the proposed bills after a group of youths from the northern region of the country protested in support of them at the National Assembly.
The bills – the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill – have generated hot debates and contention across the country with northern governors and lawmakers opposed to their passage.
Some critics had argued that the reforms could disrupt the balance of fiscal federalism, potentially centralising tax authority and diminishing state revenues.
Also, northern governors and some senators had expressed their reservations with the Bills, noting that it will impoverish Nigerians.
Hence, in order to calm frayed nerves, Tinubu directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and relevant officials who worked on the draft to collaborate with the National Assembly to address all genuine concerns before the bills were passed.
The President’s directive was contained in a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, titled: ‘President Tinubu committed to accountability on tax bills, directs Ministry of Justice to work with NASS on concerns.’
The minister said: “In line with the established legislative procedure, the Federal General welcomes meaningful inputs that can address whatever grey areas there may be in the bill.
“In this vein, President Tinubu has already directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and relevant officials who worked on the drafts to work closely with the National Assembly to ensure that all genuine concerns have been addressed before the bills are passed.”
Meanwhile, the president said there would be no need to withdraw the bill from the National Assembly amid the opposition that had trailed it.
The minister further said: “The fiscal reforms will not impoverish any state or region of the country, neither will they lead to the scrapping or weakening of any federal agencies.
The Federal Government welcomed the nationwide debate on the bills saying, “This is the very essence and meaning of democracy.”
