The South East Caucus of the Nigerian Senate has called for extensive consultations on the Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration in the National Assembly.
The caucus, comprising Senators from the five states in the South East region, reached this consensus during a closed-door meeting held in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of the caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) stated that while the Senators are not opposed to the proposed reforms, the lack of stakeholder engagement in drafting the bills raises concerns about inclusivity and fairness.
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“We are not against the Tax Reform Bills before both chambers of the National Assembly. However, we believe wider consultations should be carried out to ensure they are equitable and reflective of the interests of all Nigerians,” Senator Abaribe said.
The proposed legislations, including the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024, Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2024, and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024, were submitted by President Bola Tinubu on October 3, 2024.
The reform sought in the bills aim to overhaul the country’s tax structure to improve revenue generation.
The South East Senators plan to consult constituents, state governments, and other stakeholders in the region’s 15 senatorial districts to gather input.
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“We have reviewed the bills and want to share our findings with stakeholders in the South East Zone. This engagement will help us advocate for a more balanced approach to the proposed tax reforms,” Senator Abaribe added.
This position aligns with the calls from other groups, such as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Northern Senators Forum, and the Arewa Consultative Forum, all of whom have expressed reservations about passing the bills without comprehensive input from the public.
In contrast, the Presidency and the South-South Caucus in the Senate have urged for the bills’ swift passage, arguing that they are crucial for addressing Nigeria’s fiscal challenges.
The South East Caucus emphasized that incorporating diverse perspectives is essential for achieving equitable tax reforms that will be acceptable to all Nigerians.
Legislative deliberations on the bills are ongoing in both chambers of the National Assembly.
