By Emmanuel Kwada
Senator Seriake Dickson has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills, stating that the National Assembly will pass the bills despite opposition from various quarters. Dickson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, emphasized that the bills aim to bolster Nigeria’s fiscal institutions and align with the government’s development objectives.
The senator drew parallels with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which was passed despite criticisms, and noted that the tax reform bills will also pass without any catastrophic consequences. Dickson encouraged critics of the bills to present their positions during the public hearing, stressing that the tax bill is a proposed law that must go through the normal legislative process.
The tax reform bills, transmitted by President Tinubu to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024
Addressing tax disparities, Dickson highlighted the current situation where taxes from Bayelsa State are paid to Lagos State, emphasizing that this anomaly needs to be corrected. He expressed his support for the reform, stating that it presents an opportunity to review tax laws, correct anomalies, and promote the national interest.
The tax reform bills, transmitted by President Tinubu to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024, have sparked controversy, with some governors, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations opposing them. However, Dickson’s statement suggests that the National Assembly is committed to passing the bills, which aim to promote fiscal discipline and align Nigeria’s tax system with global best practices.
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