From Victor Osula
The House of Representatives has suspended indefinitely, the debate on the Tax Reforms Bills scheduled for Tuesday, December 3.
According to a memo signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, the suspension was informed by the need to further and broader consultations.
The halting of debate comes amid opposition by 73 northern lawmakers, including 48 House of Representatives members from the North-East, 24 federal lawmakers from Kano and a former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, who represents Sokoto South Senatorial District.
Titled: ‘Rescheduling of Special Session on Tax Reform Bills’, the memo dated November 30, 2024, reads: “I am directed by the House leadership to inform all Honourable Members that the special session, initially scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, to discuss all the tax reform bills, has been postponed to a later date.
“This rescheduling is due to the need for further and broader consultations with all relevant stakeholders. A new date and venue for the session will be communicated in due course. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.”
President Bola Tinubu had on October 13, transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms, headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.
The four bills include: “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman for the harmonisation, coordination, and settlement of disputes arising from revenue administration in Nigeria and for related matters, 2024
“A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, No.13, 2007 and enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act to Establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, charged with powers of assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruable to the Government of the Federation, and for related matters, 2024.
“A Bill for an Act to Provide for the assessment, collection of, and accounting for revenue accruing to the Federation, Federal, States, and Local Governments; prescribe the powers and functions of tax authorities, and for related matters, 2024.
“A Bill for an Act to Repeal certain Acts on taxation and consolidate the legal frameworks relating to taxation and enact the Nigeria Tax Act to provide for taxation of income, transactions, and instruments, and for related matters, 2024.”
The Senate, on Thursday, passed the four bills for second reading.
