Orji Kalu: FG erred on tax bills process — we need senators like Ndume

Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia north, has criticised the federal government for failing to involve key stakeholders in the ongoing discussions over the proposed tax reform bills.

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

The legislations are the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) opposed the bills, while the national economic council (NEC) asked Tinubu to withdraw them for further consultation.

In an interview with Arise Television on Monday, Kalu argued that the government made a “mistake” by not consulting NEC, the NSGF, and the Council of State before introducing the bills.

He, however, said that the bills are “very progressive” and would bring back “fiscal federalism” in Nigeria.

“As I told you before, the bill is very progressive. It will bring back fiscal federalism. Many senators have not been briefed,” Kalu said.

“I think the federal government made a mistake. The initiators of the bills could have briefed the National Economic Council, Governors’ forum and Council of state.”

‘WE NEED SENATORS LIKE NDUME’

Kalu also said the country need politicians like Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, for his outspokenness on national issues.

The Borno senator has been vocal against the bills, threatening to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the legislations.

“We need senators like Ndume who will raise our conscience. I respect Senator Ndume very well,” Kalu said.

“Those who tell Senator Ndume to shut up are not being kind to democracy. Democracy is not about one voice but about multiple voices.

“It is the government being guided by the majority of the people, and Ndume is one of them. He is a strong voice, the senate president didn’t shut him up.”

The lawmaker said that the president has no plans to introduce Alpha Beta, a consulting firm, as Nigeria’s tax consultant.

Kalu added that Nigeria’s tax laws are obsolete and need to be revamped for the nation to progress.

“One of my friends called me and said the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wants to put another Alpha Beta in Nigeria like he did in Lagos State; that is not the issue,” he said.

“The issue is that we need to make amendments to our laws. I support that our laws, not only the tax bills, are obsolete.”