The Senate will ensure the Tax Reform Bill reflects the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured. Speaking during plenary yesterday, Akpabio reiterated the Senate’s commitment to inclusivity, inviting stakeholders with reservations about the bill to attend public hearings and present their views.
“We will not be bullied or derailed from our constitutional responsibilities,” Akpabio stated, emphasizing that the legislative process is designed to address public interest.
Akpabio urged governors, traditional rulers, and other concerned parties to leverage the public hearing platform to voice their concerns. He added that while the reforms may be challenging, the Senate would uphold provisions that benefit Nigerians and reject those deemed harmful to the public interest.
Highlighting the bill’s potential advantages, Akpabio noted provisions exempting businesses earning less than ₦50 million from taxation and abolishing multiple taxes. He also stressed exemptions for individuals earning below the minimum wage, estimating that these reforms could benefit 100 million Nigerians.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele refuted claims that legislative actions on the bill had been suspended or withdrawn. “The bill is alive at the Senate,” he clarified, reaffirming the Senate’s commitment to a thorough legislative process.
Akpabio also dismissed speculations of a rushed process, pointing out that the ad hoc committee reviewing the bill was given six weeks, with the timeline extendable if necessary.
Meanwhile, a scheduled meeting between the Senate’s ad hoc committee, chaired by Minority Leader Abba Moro, and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) did not hold. Fagbemi, who had just returned from a foreign trip, was unable to attend.
Instead, the committee met privately for 40 minutes in Moro’s office to deliberate on grey areas of the bill.
In a related development, Akpabio announced adjustments to the ad hoc committee. Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno was replaced by Senator Kaka Lawan (APC, Borno) to ensure Northeast representation. The committee, chaired by Moro, includes Senators Adamu Aliero, Seriake Dickson, Titus Zam, Abdullahi Yahaya, Solomon Adeola, Sani Musa, and Adetokunbo Abiru.
Akpabio reiterated that the Senate’s deliberations remain aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to address ambiguities in the bill while safeguarding Nigerians’ interests.
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