Bayelsa West Senator, Seriake Dickson, has thrown his weight behind the tax reform bills currently before the national assembly.
Gatekeepers News reports that Dickson expressed confidence that the bills, if passed, would not have catastrophic consequences, saying “heaven will not fall”.
He added that critics of the bills should present “statistics” in support of their arguments.
“The tax bill is a law like every other law and it has to go through the normal legislative process,” the senator said.
“Right now, taxes from Bayelsa State are paid to Lagos State and I don’t want that to continue.
“When there is consumption of any goods or services from any state it should be calculated and paid to that state.
“Now there is an opportunity to review the tax laws, to correct the anomalies and that’s why I’m in support.
“I know there are states that are feeling that when they apply the new sharing formula, they will earn less.
“It is for them to raise those issues and bring the statistics. I don’t go by sentiments. I go by what is right and in the national interest.
“The PIA was passed. We wanted 10 per cent, which was what Yar’adua proposed.
“They reduced it to three per cent. Heaven did not fall. These tax reform bills will pass and heavens will not fall.”
The senator’s comments come amid controversy surrounding the proposed tax reforms, which have been opposed by the Northern States Governors Forum.
