The Arewa Consultative Forum has constituted a committee of experts to study the proposed tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly to come out with appropriate recommendations to be forwarded to appropriate organs of the government.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba.
According to the ACF, the current debates on the proposed tax reform by the National Economic Council and other critical stakeholders actually suggested that not enough consultations went into the preparations of the bills.
“ACF accepts that periodic public policy reforms are in line with the political and public administrative processes, in which regards reforms are indeed necessary and desirable. Nothing in the life of any community is static and policies must try to address emerging challenges, take advantage of new opportunities, etc,” the statement read.
Furthermore, the forum noted that the apparent impatience by supporters of the bills, especially the Federal Government to have them speedily processed through the Senate, creates and sustains impressions of specific but unstated underlying interests.
The forum commended the Senate for electing wider consultations with relevant stakeholders to address areas of concern in the bills.
It urged all citizens and every interest group to cooperate with the relevant Senate Committee tasked with the assignment. It also called for restraint, decorum and mutual respect in any discussions of provisions in the proposed bills as, in accordance with the timeless adage, no one has a monopoly of knowledge and/or wisdom.
“Debates have continued to rage on the pros and cons of the proposed bills, with positions being argued vehemently and stridently with passion. However, it is concerning that the emerging debates have become acrimonious, pitting sections of the country against each other. It is highly regretful that opinions have tended to involve unsavoury and often abusive words meant to denigrate, blackmail or intimidate anyone perceived, rightly or wrongly, as standing in support or opposing the bills or their specific aspects therefrom as are now under consideration in the Senate.
“Needless to remind all, the proposed bills’ impact will have ramifications on every citizen and every part of the country. ACF notes that debates over bills are part and parcels of the public policy process, especially in democratic settings. Reforms meant to correct policy shortcomings or inadequacies must necessarily address all areas of concern that citizens may wish to raise.
While urging every interest group to see the debates for or against any provisions in the bills as essential inputs into the policy process. Expressions of contrarian opinions and views are necessary ingredients of the legislative process, in line with the dictates of democracy, to ensure that the emergence of robust laws that will stand the test of time.
“Ultimately, the outcome of such laws emanating from the process will serve the interests of the whole country and not, as some insinuate, specific sections or interests to the detriment of others,” ACF stated.
In October, President Tinubu asked the National Assembly to assent to pass the bills into law.
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.
But on November 28, the tax reform bills passed a second reading in the Senate.