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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
Bauchi Students, Pupils Won’t Write First Term 2025 Exam
The government is working closely with security agencies to address the concerns swiftly and comprehensively, ensuring that normal academic activities resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
The Bauchi State Government has announced the closure of all the public and privately owned primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in the state with immediate effect.
In a statement on Monday, Jalaludeen Usman, Information and Public Relations Officer Bauchi State Ministry of Education, said that the decision, although difficult, was taken by the government in response to overwhelming security concerns affecting the safety of students, teachers, and school communities across the state.
“The government is fully aware of the inconvenience this may cause.
However, the protection of our children remains our highest moral responsibility. Every student in Bauchi State deserves to learn in an environment that is safe, stable, and free of fear.
We therefore call on parents, guardians, school proprietors, and all concerned stakeholders not to panic, but to remain calm and cooperative.
The government is working closely with security agencies to address the concerns swiftly and comprehensively, ensuring that normal academic activities resume as soon as it is safe to do so. We also urge citizens to remain vigilant.
If you see something, say something. Timely information from the public is crucial in safeguarding our communities.
The Bauchi State Government will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves.”
News
BREAKING: Tinubu Orders Immediate Withdrawal of Police Escorts from VIPs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of police officers currently attached as security details to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across Nigeria.
The directive, issued during a high-level security meeting on Sunday in Abuja, mandates that the affected officers return to core policing duties to strengthen security in communities, especially in underserved and remote areas where police presence is critically low.
Henceforth, VIPs requiring armed protection must request personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The President emphasized that the move is part of efforts to address the country’s security challenges by boosting police visibility and effectiveness nationwide.
President Tinubu has already approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and is working with state governments to upgrade training facilities.
Sunday’s meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
News
UPDATE: President Tinubu Confirms Rescue of 38 Kwara Worshippers, 51 Niger School Children (Video)
In a message posted on his official X handle , the President assured Nigerians and the global community that he is closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday confirmed the rescue of all the 38 persons recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Eruku, Ekiti LGA, Kwara State, and the fifty-one among schoolchildren kidnapped in Niger State.
In a message posted on his official X handle , the President assured Nigerians and the global community that he is closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.
He insists he will not relent.
He stressed that every Nigerian in every state has the right to safety, and that under his watch the government will secure the nation and protect its people.
He also recalled that he cancelled his trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to enable him coordinate security efforts at home.
The President’s update follows a succession of security incidents that have unsettled the country including the mass abduction in Kebbi State, the attack on worshippers in Kwara, and, in quick succession, the kidnapping of more than two hundred students in Niger State , incidents that have also resulted in casualties.
The Office of the National Security Adviser; the Department of State Services (DSS); the Nigerian Army; Nigeria Intelligence Agency; and the Nigeria Police, have deployed four new tactical teams to Kwara State on the directive of the President.
Watch video below:
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