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From Abuja, Kenneth, Udeh
Following the backdrop of furore generated from the Tax Reforms Bills, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday directed its Senate Committee on Finance to suspend further proceedings on public hearing until areas of disaffection are addressed.
To that end the Senate resolved to engage with the Attorney General of the Federal and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi to address all areas of concerns which has sparked significant public outcry.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin who presided over plenary announced the co-option of a special Ten man committee to be Chaired by the Senate Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) whose obligation will be hold discussions with Lateef Fagbemi with a bid to address all contentious issues raised.
Barau disclosed that the Committee will hold the crucial meeting on Thursday, members of the committee include; Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Mungono Mohammed ( APC , Borno North ), Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ( APC , Abia North ), Senator Ali Ndume ( APC, North East ), Senator Aliero Adamu ( PDP, Kebbi Central ) , Senator Seriake Dickson ( PDP, Bayelsa West ).
The Lawmakers according to the Deputy Senate President will also be representing their respective regions at the meeting.
Other include, Chairman Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP Kebbi North); Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Olamilekan Solomon ( APC, Ogun West ); Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa ( APC, Nigeria East ) and Chairman Senate Committee on Banking and Finance, Senator Abiru Adetokunbo ( APC, Lagos East ).
Barau divulged that the Senate held discussions with the Executive arm of Government over the issues emanating from the Bills.
He said that it was agreed at the meeting that it is imperative to hold a roundtable discussion inorder to find amicable solutions to the issues raised before further legislative actions.
Barau said; “Since the introduction of the bill , the Senate has had series of meetings between on the tax bills this was in consonance with fact that they understand the senate is the highest assembly in the country”
“The senate is composed of men and women of sound pedigree entrusted by the country to legislate for them for the peace and tranquility and for the development of the country”.
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“The senate are known to be stabilizers of every Country when there are difficulties, disagreement the senate at all times come in with solutions through dialogue and consensus to solve such problems and the senate has been doing that since 1999”.
Barau noted that the Senators resolved to set aside their Political, religious and ethnic afflictions to tackle the issues raised by the Bill.
He said; “Before the introduction of this bill we know we have been faced with several problems, insecurity, economy which is in line with global economic challenges
“We agreed that we should not allow any other thing to come in to aggravate the problems of our country”.
President Bola Tinubu had in October sent four tax bills to the National Assembly.
The bills include the Tax Reform Bills comprising the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024 and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024.
The proposed legislation seeks to consolidate existing tax laws, establish clearer frameworks for tax administration, and create bodies like the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman.
However, they have sparked significant controversy.
Critics argue that the reforms could disrupt the balance of fiscal federalism, potentially centralising tax authority and diminishing state revenues.
The Bills have also been described as a welcome development by stakeholders as they opined that the reforms stimulate increased revenues (without imposing additional tax burdens on the people), and also spur greater accountability in the management of public resources at all levels of government.
