News
House softens stance on Tax Reform Bills
The House of Representatives has softened its stance on the Tax Reform Bills.
Yesterday, after a three-hour generally positive debate by members, the Bills scaled second reading and passed for public hearing.
This is unlike the situation when the Bills were sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Green Chamber in October.
Following opposition from a section of the ruling class, the House exploded in uproar over the Bills, forcing Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to dissolve the House into and Executive session after which all issues on the Bills were kept in ambiance to allow for consultations.
But at the Senate, the Bills were quickly debated and moved to the public hearing stage.
The Bills are the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
The bills were consolidated into one at the House for a seamless debate.
The proposed laws were read for the first time on October 8 but debate by the House was put on hold due to disagreement on the content of the bill, especially by Northern leaders and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Although the House engaged government officials on the benefits of the bills, Speaker Tajudeen asked members to engage in wide consultations with their constituents to pave the way for a robust debate.
Apart from some observations on certain areas of the bills that appeared not in tandem with some sections of the 1999 Constitution and a few other clauses, members unanimously okayed the bills for a second reading.
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda said while opposition members supported the spirit behind the bills, some had issues with certain aspects.
Chinda noted that the bills seek to rejig the nation’s tax system for effective revenue generation. He pointed out that for every law, there must be the spirit of the letters.
He said: “We have all agreed that the spirit behind the four bills is good.‘’
But we have issues with some of the letters of the bills. Why we oppose some letters of the bills, we support the spirit and want to assure Nigerians that we will watch those letters and at the appropriate time, we will ensure that the letters are corrected in the interest of Nigerians.
“He advocated a reduction in the Value Added Tax(VAT), saying ‘’It is possible to reduce tax, while efforts should be made to tidy up all areas of conflicts..’’
House Leader Julius Ihonvbere thereafter set the tone for the debate by explaining that the bills were intended to overhaul the country’s outdated tax laws.
Ihonvbere reassured the public that the reforms would benefit ordinary Nigerians without imposing tax burdens on the poor.
While appreciating those who hold opposing views to the bills, he said their views helped strengthen the bills.
The House leader charged members to “be part of history in reforming the tax system to promote revenue growth, increase employment and better the life of ordinary Nigerians.
Minority Whip, Ali Isa commended Speaker Abass for creating an opportunity for members to engage and consult widely on the contentious parts of the bills.
Isa however expressed concern about clause 146 which encourages a gradual increase in VAT from 7.5 percent to 10 percent and later 15 percent.
News
Governor Oyebanji Raises State’s monthly Subvention By N438.9 million
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has approved a major increment in the monthly subvention to the Judiciary and the legislative arm of government as well as the subvented institutions in the state.
The increment which amounts to N438.9 million monthly is to enable the institutions take care of the new minimum wage and the attendant consequential adjustment for workers.
In a statement,Olayinka OyebodeSpecial Adviser (Media) to the Governor, disclosed that the
beneficiaries of the increment include the Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal, Ekiti State High Court of Justice; Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission, and Ekiti State House of Assembly Service Commission.
Others are Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, (EKSU); Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH); Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere Ekiti; Ekiti State Polythecnic, Isan Ekiti; College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti and Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and associated Institutions.
Similarly, the Governor has also approved payment of the outstanding 2020 leave bonus to local government workers, in fulfilment of his promise to defray all outstanding entitlements of workers inherited from previous administrations.
While restating the commitment of his administration to the wellbeing and welfare of workers and retirees, Governor Oyebanji says efforts are being made to ensure payment of all outstanding entitlements including gratuities in line with the continuity and shared prosperity agenda of the government.
He urges workers in the state to remain focused on excellent service delivery and to see themselves as strategic stakeholders in the Ekiti Project.
The first child of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, late Abiola Ajimobi’s, known as Bisola Ajimobi Kola-Daisi, is dead.
It was gathered that Bisola who is married to Mr Kolapo Kola-Daisi died in the early hours of Thursday.
She died at the age of 42.
According to reports, she died in the United Kingdom.
Until her death, she was the Special Adviser to the Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
The Special Adviser to the former governor, Mr Bolaji Tunji confirmed the incident to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.
Tunji said, “Yes. It has been confirmed”.
The House of Representatives on Thursday reversed its decision on the second reading of a bill which sought to strip the vice-president, governors and deputy governors of immunity.
The lower legislative chamber made the U-turn after the Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion.
The bill, which is sponsored by Solomon Bob, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Rivers State, passed second reading on Wednesday.
Bob noted that the bill seeks to “promote accountability in public office” by removing the immunity currently granted to the vice-president, governors and their deputies.
Section 308 of the Constitution states that “the president, vice-president, governor, and deputy governor, during the period he/she is holding the office, shall not be subjected to civil or criminal proceedings.
“The occupants of the office shall not also be arrested or imprisoned and no process of any court requiring or compelling their appearance.
”Bob stated said the move is to curb corruption, curb immunity, eradicate impunity and enhance accountability in public office.
The green chamber also rescinded its decision on the bill to abolish the death penalty.
The bill also passed second reading during plenary on Wednesday.
Governor Oyebanji Raises State’s monthly Subvention By N438.9 million
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