Tax Reform Bill: Tinubu directs justice ministry to work with NASS to address contentious areas

Abuja, Dec. 4, 2024 – President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Justice to work with the National Assembly to address concerns raised by some Nigerians over the Tax Reform Bill.

Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement.

The statement reads in parts: “In line with the established legislative procedure, the Federal Government welcomes meaningful inputs that can address whatever grey areas there may be in the bill.

“In this vein, President Tinubu has already directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and relevant officials who worked on the drafts to work closely with the National Assembly to ensure that all genuine concerns have been addressed before the bills are passed.”

The president said most reactions from political leaders and commentators were not grounded in facts, reality, or sufficient knowledge of the bills.

He said the tax bills would not enrich Lagos or Rivers states at the expense of northern states nor lead to the scrapping or weakening of any federal agencies.

“Similarly, it is important to be aware that there is a lot of misinformation and fake news circulating around the tax bills and the overall reform agenda of the Tinubu Administration.

“I call on all commentators and groups to keep up the spirit of informed engagement, and to strive to be respectful and understanding at all times despite the diversity of opinions.

“In the spirit of democratic engagement, there should be no room for name-calling, or for the injection of unnecessary ethnic and regional slurs into this important national conversation.

“This is the very essence and meaning of democracy.

“President Tinubu and the administration will continue to champion policies that close the loopholes and gaps through which Nigeria’s valuable public resources have been frittered away for decades.”

The president promised that the resources to be realised from these reforms will be invested in critical infrastructure of healthcare, education, transportation, digital technology, and in social investments that will benefit all Nigerians and ensure that no one is left behind.

“This is the promise and the reality of the Renewed Hope agenda,” the statement concluded.

The bill has been contentious since it was sent to the National Assembly for passage, particularly over the provision on the Valued Added Tax (VAT) which suggests that derivation should be used as the sharing formula.

Some others contend that the bill is discriminatory against the North and is skewed in favour of Lagos and Rivers states.   (GBN)

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