Tax Reform Bills: South East NASS  Members Urge Wider Consultations

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst the ongoing controversy over the Tax Reforms Bill, the South East Caucus at the Senate has called for more consultations with relevant stakeholders and constituents.

This is just as it gave its stamp of approval for the bills that have sharply divided the  National Assembly along North and South.

At a media parley on Monday, December, 9, 2024, after a closed door meeting of Senators from the region, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said that the new consultations efforts will enable  the law makers to feel the pulse of their people, including state Governments

Senator Abaribe representing Abia South District on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA noted that much as the South Senators are backing the tax reforms bills, there is the need for broader consultations before the bills are considered for possible passage .

“In as much as the entire Senators from the South East are not against the Tax Reforms Bills ,before both chambers of the National Assembly ,for consideration ,we want wider consultations to be carried out on them.

“Specifically, we need to consult with constituents across the 15 Senatorial districts in the Zone ,with our state Governments and other critical Stakeholders.

“We have read through the bills and want to share our knowledge with other stakeholders from the South East Zone for a much more equitable framework in the bills that would eventually be passed .

We are not against the bills ,but need to consult with our people” Senator Abaribe ,stated .

The Source reports that the Tax Reforms Bills. have been received with both mix feelings ,and outright rejection by most parts of the Northern region.

Antagonists of the  bills, including the Northern Governors Forum , fear that the tax reforms bills  will  further ,widen the  economic gulf between the Southern and Northern regions of the country .

According to them, the Northern region will be negatively affected ,if the bills eventually sail through.

However ,some people from the region ,including the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau ,and social critic,Senator Shehu Sani ,have blamed the spate of criticisms trailing the introduction of the bills on ignorance.

Conversely, majority of Southern Legislators and  stakeholders ,are not only at home with the bills, but are insisting that they are long over due .