The South-East Caucus in the Senate has declared its stance on the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly.
In a statement released on Monday, the caucus announced its position after a closed-door meeting of senators from the five South-East states.
According to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the leader of the South-East Caucus, while the caucus does not oppose the proposed tax reforms, it believes that more extensive engagement with stakeholders is necessary before the bills are fully considered by both chambers.
He said: “As senators from the South-East, we are not against the Tax Reform Bills. However, we insist on wider consultations with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts, state governments, and other critical stakeholders in our zone.
“We have reviewed the bills and feel it is essential to share our insights with stakeholders in the South-East to ensure the final framework reflects equity and addresses regional concerns. Consultation is vital for inclusiveness and effective legislation.”
The Tax Reform Bills under discussion include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2024, and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024.
These bills have sparked significant debate since their submission by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024.
Abaribe emphasized that the South-East Caucus is committed to ensuring that the tax reforms are inclusive, equitable, and beneficial to all regions of the country. “We need to consult with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts in the zone, with our state governments, and with other critical stakeholders,” he added.
Aside from the South-East Caucus, other groups, such as the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Northern Senators, and the Arewa Consultative Forum, have also called for more extensive engagement with stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Presidency and the South-South Senate Caucus have advocated for the swift passage of the bills.