Reps approve tax reform bills

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Mr. James Faleke (APC-Lagos), has assured Nigerians that the tax reform bills will produce widely acceptable laws.
Faleke gave this assurance on Thursday after the House considered and adopted the report on the four tax reform bills during its session in Abuja.
The bills include the Nigerian Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, the Revenue Tax Board Bill, and the Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill.
He said, “These bills underwent three full days of public hearings, with input from over 80 key stakeholders. Afterward, we held an eight-day retreat to debate each clause. I am glad that House members recognised our thorough work and approved all our recommendations.’’
He expressed appreciation to fellow lawmakers and Nigerians who engaged with the bills, assuring that the resulting laws will be acceptable to all.
Faleke also thanked the House leadership for entrusting his committee with processing the tax bills and presenting them for consideration.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising tax law reforms, noting that some existing tax laws date as far back as 1959.
“We cannot continue using outdated tax laws that no longer meet our business, survival, and revenue needs,” he stressed.
Deputy Committee Chairman, Mr Saidu Abdullahi (APC-Niger), said no bill in the 10th Assembly had generated as much debate as the tax reform bills.
He praised Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for fostering consensus among stakeholders, ensuring broad-based input into the legislative process.
Abdullahi highlighted that representatives from geopolitical zones and regional thought leaders were involved, easing public concerns.
He stated, “The committee’s recommendations reflect the contributions of various stakeholders. These were never seen as perfect documents. The executive made proposals, and the public hearing allowed Nigerians to refine them. Lawmakers have now endorsed the final version.’’
Also, Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) described the process as transparent, with consultants and the executive making adjustments to reflect public interest.
Ugochinyere said, “In spite of being in the opposition, we are proud of this historic moment. It will expand the tax net and increase government revenue. This reform will enhance tax collection efficiency while protecting small businesses. That is why we worked together to ensure its passage.’’
On his part, Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos) said stakeholder concerns, including inheritance tax, derivation, and VAT, were carefully considered.
He said, “This is a great day for Nigeria. The necessary reforms have been approved by the House, and we now await Senate concurrence.’’