The National Assembly has said it is taking steps to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in recently passed Tax Acts, promising to make available Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the bills signed by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement on Thursday, the Director of Information at the National Assembly, Bullah Bi-Allah, said the Clerk to the National Assembly has been directed to release the signed tax bills, including the certificate pages, for public verification.
Bi-Allah said the decision follows public calls for transparency after reports surfaced alleging inconsistencies between the versions of the Tax Acts captured in the votes and proceedings of the legislature and those later gazetted.
“The management had taken note of the alleged discrepancies between votes and proceedings of the National Assembly and the gazetted versions of passed tax acts,” he said.
He added that despite widespread interest, only a few individuals have formally requested the CTCs of the harmonised bills.
“All such requests have been processed,” Bi-Allah noted.
The Director of Information further disclosed that the Clerk is working with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure that the duly certified and assented Acts are published in line with legal requirements.
“While it is the duty of the Clerk to initiate the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication lies with the Federal Government Printing Press,” he explained.
He said the gazettes were expected to be ready on Thursday.
To strengthen institutional processes, the National Assembly has resolved to review procedures guiding the transmission and publication of bills.
“Henceforth, all bills for presidential assent will be routed through presidential liaison officers.
“No request for gazetting an act of the National Assembly will be entertained by the printing press, unless initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or his authorised representative,” Bi-Allah stated.
The Assembly commended Nigerians for their active interest in legislative processes, assuring that it remains committed to transparency, accountability, and professionalism.