Chairman of the Northern Caucus in the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa, emphasised that his colleagues will focus on national interest when evaluating the proposed tax reform bills.
Gatekeepers News reports that Doguwa who spoke on Monday, stated that the caucus members would review the bills thoroughly before determining their position.
On October 3, President Bola Tinubu called on the National Assembly to consider and pass four key tax reform bills, which have generated significant discussion. These bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
Also, the president proposed repealing the existing law that establishes the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and replacing it with the Nigeria Revenue Service.
On October 28, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) expressed opposition to these bills, arguing that the proposed legislation could adversely affect the interests of the northern region. The Governors urged the National Assembly to reject the bills and advocated for the equitable and fair implementation of national policies and programs across all regions.
The National Economic Council (NEC) recommended that President Tinubu withdraw the bills to allow for further consultations. However, on November 1, Tinubu affirmed that the bills would remain with the National Assembly, asserting that they are intended to enhance the livelihoods of Nigerians and optimize the existing tax frameworks.
Doguwa reiterated that the caucus would carefully study the bills to determine if they align with the nation’s best interests.
“These proposed bills are obviously to do with fiscal federalism as it relates to sharing of resources to federating units and key government institutions,” the lawmaker said.
“We must, therefore, be careful to study the bills diligently and consider them clause by clause with a view to making justice to the people and justice to the bills in the overall interest of the people and national interest.
“We will certainly not rush the passage of these bills in order to avoid making hasty legislation or laws that would in the end not be able to address our practical economic realities as a nation.
“National interest will be the key word. It will be the watchword, and I believe all of us will be guided by national interest.
“The government, I want to believe, has good intentions. So, we will look at those intentions and see how we can educate and enlighten our people, and at the end of the day, the law will be for the good of the people.”
Doguwa added that the caucus will consult widely before making a decision on the bills.
