The South-South caucus of the Nigerian Senate have thrown their weight behind the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu currently before the National Assembly.
The bills are the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 -SB.583; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024- SB.584; and the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024- SB. 585; and the Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 – SB.586.
The four tax reform bills passed second reading at the Senate on Thursday 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.
This was made known on Thursday in a statement signed by its Chairman Senator Seriake Dickson PDP, Bayelsa West and fifteen other Senators from the region.
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 Bill ,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 will enhance national revenue and foster economic stability in ovell 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 the 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 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 Senate President Godswill 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 include;
Senator Jarigbe A. Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River North) – Secretary of the Forum
Senator Barinada Mpigi (PDP, Rivers South East)
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North)
Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South)
Senator Munir Ned Nwoko (PDP, Delta North)
Senator Thomas Joel-Onowakpo (APC, Delta South)
Senator Aniekan Bassey (PDP, Akwa Ibom South)
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South)
Senator Allwell Onyeso (PDP, Rivers East)
Senator Ipalibo Banigo (PDP, Rivers West)
Senator Benson Agadaga (PDP, Bayelsa East)
Senator Konbowei Benson (PDP, Bayelsa Central)
Senator Eteng Jonah Williams (APC, Cross River Central)
Senator Ekong Sampson (PDP, Akwa Ibom South)
Senator Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central)
The Lawmakers 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.
