Doguwa: Northern reps will be guided by national interest in considering tax reform bills

Alhassan Doguwa, chairman of the northern caucus in the house of representatives, says his colleagues will prioritise national interest while considering the tax reform bills.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja, Doguwa said members of the caucus will study the bills “diligently” before stating their position.

BACKGROUND

On October 3, President Bola Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills.

The proposed legislations, which have sparked intense debate, include the Nigeria tax bill, the tax administration bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill.

The president also asked the parliament to repeal the law establishing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and replace it with the Nigeria Revenue Service.

On October 28, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) opposed the bills, arguing that the proposed legislation would harm the region’s interests.

The governors asked the national assembly to reject the bills, demanding equitable and fair implementation of national policies and programmes across all regions.

The national economic council (NEC) also asked Tinubu to withdraw the bills to give room for consultations.

On November 1, Tinubu said the bills would not be withdrawn from the national assembly, noting that the proposed laws are designed to improve the lives of Nigerians and optimise existing tax frameworks.

‘WE’LL DILIGENTLY STUDY THE BILLS’

Doguwa said the caucus will “carefully study the bills to know if they’re in the interest of the nation”.

“These proposed bills are obviously to do with fiscal federalism as it relates to sharing of resources to federating units and key government institutions,” the lawmaker said.

“We must, therefore, be careful to study the bills diligently and consider them clause by clause with a view to making justice to the people and justice to the bills in the overall interest of the people and national interest.

“We will certainly not rush the passage of these bills in order to avoid making hasty legislation or laws that would in the end not be able to address our practical economic realities as a nation.

“National interest will be the key word. It will be the watchword, and I believe all of us will be guided by national interest.

“The government, I want to believe, has good intentions. So, we will look at those intentions and see how we can educate and enlighten our people, and at the end of the day, the law will be for the good of the people.”

Doguwa added that the caucus will consult widely before making a decision on the bills.