• South-South senators back bills ν Reforms’ll bring progress to Nigeria –NOA
From Ndubuisi Orji and Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Senate has said it did not suspend deliberations on the Tax Reform Bills.
Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, made the clarification when he raised Senate Point of Order 42, during plenary.
He said it was reported by a news medium that “the hallowed chamber suspended further consideration of the Tax Reform Bills before the Senate.
“Nowhere in our votes and proceedings was it stated that we suspended further deliberations on the tax reform bills, because we did not.
“I felt it would be important to place on record that this Senate did not suspend or withdraw. This Senate did not suspend and does not intend to suspend deliberation, consideration of the tax reform bills.
“It was a misunderstanding of the legislative process for anybody to have even reported that we have withdrawn the bills.
“The bills were executive bills; transmitted to us by the Executive Arm of Government, through the office of Mr President.
“It is only the executive arm that can withdraw these bills. They are not private member bills sponsored by any senator.
“So, no senator is going to withdraw the bill and there is no reason for these bills to be withdrawn. In a legislative process, it is normal that some people will have concerns,” he said.
According to him, it is normal that people will sit around those concerns and discuss, hence, in its wisdom, the Senate referred the matter to the Committee on Finance and gave them six weeks to report back.
“Six weeks are long enough in a country that wants progress for a consensus to be reached and for anybody who has concern to sit down and allow such concern to be addressed in overriding public interest.
“So, the essence of what I am saying is that it is important that members of the public are patient with us.
“They understand the legislative process that we have to follow. They understand our role in the Constitution.
“Any attempt from any quarter to intimidate the parliament will be undemocratic and we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.
“We will encourage consensus. We will encourage discussions, and engagement at all levels,” he said.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said that the members of the National Assembly were all elected to work, which was the work of lawmaking, in the overall interest of Nigeria.
Akpabio said that the work is not done through social media, committee or any forum of any nature, but done according to their conscience and in the best interest of Nigeria.
He said the moment the bills went through the second reading in the Senate, it simply meant that the bills were alive.
According to him, the next procedure is for the committee on finance to commence the process of consultations and public hearings, with a view to bringing recommendations back to the chamber
“But, in the wisdom of the Senate yesterday (Wednesday), we had, in a closed session, set up a committee to be headed by the minority leader before the passage of the second reading.
“That committee was an internal mechanism of the Senate, different from the committee on finance.
“I think that was what was announced that the committee should immediately move into work,” he said.
The bills are the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 -SB.583; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024- SB.584; the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024- SB. 585; and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 – SB.586.
The four tax reform bills passed the second reading at the Senate yesterday and were referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Niger East senator, Sani Musa, for further legislative action, including conducting a public hearing.
Meanwhile, the South-South caucus in the Senate has endorsed the tax reform bills.
This was made known in a statement signed by its Chairman, Seriake Dickson and 15 others.
According to the statement, the caucus held a meeting on Wednesday to brainstorm on key national issues as well as the tax reform bills.
After examining the contents of the bills, the senators affirmed that they were convinced by the objectives which the bills seek to achieve.
They stressed that if passed into law, the reforms would enhance national revenue and foster economic stability in the overall interest of all Nigerians, especially the South South geopolitical zone.
It read: “We resolved to support the Tax Reforms Bills. This support will be anchored on a comprehensive study and thorough evaluation of the content of the bills to ensure they align with the overall interest of Nigerians, particularly the well-being of the South-South region.”
The Caucus also called on those against the bill to cease from judging the bill based on ethnic, religious, tribal or personal sentiments, but rather engage in robust consultations and interactions set up by the Senate.
“We remain committed to working collaboratively with our colleagues across the Senate and all stakeholders in fostering a legislative agenda that guarantees the peace, prosperity, and progress of our beloved nation.”
They also called on the South-South Governors to work collaboratively with lawmakers to refine the bills for mutual benefit.
Similarly, the senators, representing Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers States, passed a vote of confidence in the Senate President, Akpabio, commending his leadership in advancing the Senate’s constitutional mandate.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to standing by him and supporting his leadership in steering the Senate toward its constitutional mandate of making laws that serve the best interests of the nation and its citizens.
“We pledge our full support to the Senate President and the leadership of the National Assembly in their efforts to ensure the effective and timely passage of legislation aimed at promoting good governance, national unity, and economic development.” the statement read.
The Senators who appended their signature to the communique included Jarigbe A. Jarigbe, Barinada Mpigi, Adams Oshiomhole, Neda Imasuen, Munir Ned Nwoko, Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, Aniekan Bassey, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Allwell Onyeso, Ipalibo Banigo, Benson Agadaga, Konbowei Benson, Eteng Jonah Williams, Ekong Sampson and Ede Dafinone.
They reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a legislative agenda that ensures the peace, prosperity and progress of the nation while addressing the unique needs of the South-South region. addressed in overriding public interest. “So, the essence of what I am saying is that it is important that members of the public are patient with us.
“They understand the legislative process that we have to follow. They understand our role in the Constitution.
“Any attempt from any quarter to intimidate the parliament will be undemocratic and we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.
“We will encourage consensus. We will encourage discussions, and engagement at all levels,” he said.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said that the members of the National Assembly were all elected to work, which was the work of lawmaking, in the overall interest of Nigeria.
Akpabio said that the work is not done through social media, committee or any forum of any nature, but done according to their conscience and in the best interest of Nigeria.
He said the moment the bills went through the second reading in the Senate, it simply meant that the bills were alive.
According to him, the next procedure is for the committee on finance to commence the process of consultations and public hearings, with a view to bringing recommendations back to the chamber
“But, in the wisdom of the Senate yesterday (Wednesday), we had, in a closed session, set up a committee to be headed by the minority leader before the passage of the second reading.
“That committee was an internal mechanism of the Senate, different from the committee on finance. I think that was what was announced that the committee should immediately move into work,” he said.
The bills are the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 -SB.583; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024- SB.584; the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024- SB. 585; and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 – SB.586.
The four tax reform bills passed the second reading at the Senate yesterday and were referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Niger East senator, Sani Musa, for further legislative action, including conducting a public hearing.
Meanwhile, the South-South caucus in the Senate has endorsed the tax reform bills.
This was made known in a statement signed by its Chairman, Seriake Dickson and 15 others.
According to the statement, the caucus held a meeting on Wednesday to brainstorm on key national issues as well as the tax reform bills.
After examining the contents of the bills, the senators affirmed that they were convinced by the objectives which the bills seek to achieve.
They stressed that if passed into law, the reforms would enhance national revenue and foster economic stability in the overall interest of all Nigerians, especially the South South geopolitical zone.
It read: “We resolved to support the Tax Reforms Bills. This support will be anchored on a comprehensive study and thorough evaluation of the content of the bills to ensure they align with the overall interest of Nigerians, particularly the well-being of the South-South region.”
The Caucus also called on those against the bill to cease from judging it based on ethnic, religious, tribal or personal sentiments, but rather engage in robust consultations and interactions set up by the Senate.
“We remain committed to working collaboratively with our colleagues across the Senate and all stakeholders in fostering a legislative agenda that guarantees the peace, prosperity, and progress of our beloved nation.”
They also called on the South-South governors to work collaboratively with lawmakers to refine the bills for mutual benefit.
Similarly, the senators, representing Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers States, passed a vote of confidence in the Senate President, Akpabio, commending his leadership in advancing the Senate’s constitutional mandate.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to standing by him and supporting his leadership in steering the Senate toward its constitutional mandate of making laws that serve the best interests of the nation and its citizens.
“We pledge our full support to the Senate President and the leadership of the National Assembly in their efforts to ensure the effective and timely passage of legislation aimed at promoting good governance, national unity, and economic development.” the statement read.
The Senators who signed the communique are Jarigbe A. Jarigbe, Barinada Mpigi, Adams Oshiomhole, Neda Imasuen, Munir Ned Nwoko, Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, Aniekan Bassey, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Allwell Onyeso, Ipalibo Banigo, Benson Agadaga, Konbowei Benson, Eteng Jonah Williams, Ekong Sampson and Ede Dafinone.
They reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a legislative agenda that ensures the peace, prosperity and progress of the nation while addressing the unique needs of the South-South region.