The senate has set up a special committee to meet with a federal government delegation over the tax reform bills.
Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, announced members of the committee during plenary on Wednesday.
“We don’t want the country disunited. So, the delegations will meet to resolve the grey areas,” Barau, who presided over plenary, said.
Members of the committee include Abba Moro, minority leader; Tahir Monguno, chief whip; Adamu Ailero (Kebbi central); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa west), Titus Zam (Benue south), Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi north), Adeola Olamilekan (Ogun west), Sani Musa (Niger east) and Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos east).
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On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu directed the ministry of justice to work with the national assembly to address concerns about the bills.
THE TAX BILLS
On October 3, Tinubu asked the national assembly to consider and pass four tax reform bills.
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The bills—the Nigeria tax bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill—have been a subject of controversy.
On October 28, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) opposed the bills, arguing that the proposed legislations 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.
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On November 1, Tinubu said the bills would not be withdrawn from the national assembly, noting that the proposed laws were designed to improve the lives of Nigerians and optimise existing tax frameworks.
The bills passed the second reading at the senate last Thursday.
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