Senator Orji Kalu, who represents Abia North at the upper legislative chamber has revealed that the federal government made a mistake not to have carried the National Executive Council, Nigeria Governor’s Forum, and the Council of State along in its tax reform bills.
Kalu disclosed this on Monday in an interview with Arise
Television on the controversial tax reform bills.
Recall that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the Northern
Governor’s Forum, the National Economic Council, and others have openly opposed
the tax reforms.
However, Orji noted that the bills are very progressive and
would bring back fiscal federalism in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, he faulted the initiators of bills for not
carrying key stakeholders along saying, “As I told you before, the bill is very
progressive. It will bring back fiscal federalism. Many senators have not been
briefed. I think the federal government made a mistake. The initiators of the
bills would have briefed the National Economic Council, Governors’ forum”.
Recall tax reform bills, including the Nigeria Tax Bill
2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment
Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, were sent to the National
Assembly for passage since October 2024.
The bills gained momentum last week when they secured
second-reading passage at the Senate.
This comes after the Northern Governor’s Forum and National
Economic Council called for the bill’s withdrawal.
Meanwhile, economic experts have backed the tax reform bill
on the grounds that it will boost Nigeria’s revenue.
However, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal
Policy and Tax Reforms Committee had earlier in his contributions, explained
why the tax bills generated so much controversy.
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