The lawmaker representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has announced his support for President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms bills.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the legislator, argued that the bills were not bad, however, insisted that a robust consultation was needed to allay the fears raised in some quarters.
“A reform as massive as that conveyed in the four bills that the President and his team sent to the National Assembly requires a lot of political consensus building, consultation and consensus building,” the former Bayelsa governor said.
“There is nothing bad about reforms. If you want to bring about massive change as a governor or president, you must undertake fundamental reforms.
“The deeper the reforms, the more likely the results will last even before you. There is nothing wrong about that,” he added.
The four tax reform bills have generated intense debate across Nigeria.
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.
Some Nigerians have criticised the bills, claiming they favour some parts of the country over others.
However, proponents have said that many of those criticising the bills have not read their provisions and are only amplifying falsehoods.