*Senate halts action on tax reform bill, to meet with presidency
*Bill had generated controversy from some regions of Nigeria
*Says decision was in consonance with fact on concerns of Nigerians over the Bills
*Reinstates Senate’s dialogue, consensus at all times to solve such problems
By Okechukwu Jombo
The Senate has resolved to meet with the presidency to review the tax reform bill earlier sent by president Bola Tinubu for consideration and passage
The bills had generated controversy from some regions of the country and during its second reading in the senate.
However after serious consideration the Senate reached an agreement which was read by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, who presided over the plenary.
“Of the tax reform bills that are before us, this was in consonance with the fact that we understand at all times that this Senate is the highest assembly in this country. The Senate is composed of men and women of wisdom, of pedigree that this country has entrusted to legislate for them for the peace and tranquility and the development of this country.
The Senate of the Federal Republic, as known by everyone and indeed other Senates in the entire world are known to be the stabilizers of every country. When there are difficulties and disagreements, the Senate of this country comes in with solutions through dialogue and consensus at all times to solve such problems, and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been doing that since 1999.
Because of this, we decided to put politics, ethnicity, and regionalism aside to sit among ourselves and find the way forward with respect to the issues surrounding the tax reform bills.
It is on this note that we extended our view to the executive arm of government and it was agreed that there should be a forum to sit down to look at the areas that are creating disagreements to resolve them so that the entire country will remain united – united in our effort to solve our problems.
Before the introduction of these bills, we know we’ve been faced with several problems and insecurity that we’ve been trying to solve. The president has been trying, and we’re also working with him to solve issues about our economy, which is in line with global economic problems.
We also agree that we shouldn’t allow anything else to aggravate our country’s problems.
It is on this note that it has been agreed by the executive and also by us that there should be a forum that will sit with the Attorney General of the Federation so that we can sit down and sort out all these problems in the interest of this nation.
It is therefore proposed that by tomorrow (Thursday) there will be a meeting with the committee that we’ve set up here and the leadership to sit with the Attorney General of the Federation to look at those issues and resolve them.
It’s on this note that the committee on finance that the bills have been referred to, should put on hold further action on it – public hearing and other issues until we resolve these issues.
All sides will be given the opportunity and we shall resolve the issues before anything is allowed to go. Thank you very much. Thank you.”
