Tax Reform Bills Pass Second Reading At Senate Despite Opposition From Ndume, Others

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

Israel, Hamas Greenlight First Phase of Trump’s Peace Plan

By Abiola Olawale Israel and Hamas have inked their approval on the inaugural phase of the United States President Donald Trump's Gaza peace initiative. The agreement, announced on Wednesday amid high-stakes indirect talks in Egypt, paves the way for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a surge in humanitarian aid. This development is…

Where Extreme Poverty Rates Are Highest in the World

Key Takeaways Africa is home to 23 of the top 30 countries with the highest rates of extreme poverty. Kosovo ranks in 19th globally in 2024, seeing the highest rates outside of Africa—a country that faces high unemployment rates and ongoing conflict. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produces roughly three-quarters of the world’s cobalt, it…

Oil Prices Drop as Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire

Oil prices fell in early morning trade on Thursday in Asia as Israel and Hamas agreed to a pause in fighting and a hostages-for-prisoners exchange, under a framework advanced by the Trump administration. Under the agreement, Hamas will release as many as 20 living hostages this weekend, and Israel will pull back forces to a negotiated…

Ad

By Kolawole Ojebisi

The Senate has passed four tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu for second reading.

The Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, led the debate that paved the way for second reading of the bills on the floor of the Red Chamber on Thursday.

Bamidele who has been at the forefront of the campaign for the passage of the bills argued that they would simplify the tax landscape, reduce the burden on small businesses, and streamline how taxes are collected.

“It will eliminate double taxation. In the area of tax exemption of the salaries below the minimum wage,” the senate leader said.

“It is proposed that the state governments share 55 percent of VAT from 15 percent. There is a reasonable effort to establish core tax statutes in the bill.”

Seriake Dickson, senator representing Bayelsa west, said the discovery of oil in Nigeria did not allow the country have a good taxation system as a means of revenue.

“I am aware that some issues have been raised and that is legitimate,” he said.

“There is nothing wrong in saying that phone calls are made in Sokoto are calculated are paid to those states. We should ensure that this is transparent.”

Also speaking, Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, said the bills should be stood down for further legislative work.

“Reforms are necessary if we have to move forward. My problem is number one is timing. Number two, the issue of derivation and VAT,” he said.

“The constitution has to be amended for some of these provisions to be effected.”

Countering Ndume’s position, Tahir Monguno, chief whip, said the bills should not be withdrawn and that changes could be made during the public hearing on them.

“These bills will reduce the tax burden on Nigerians,” he said.

The bill were passed after Senate President Godswill Akpabio put them to a vote.

Tinubu asked the National Assembly to consider and pass the bills in October.But members of the National Economic Council had on October advised Tinubu to withdraw the bills and allow necessary consultations to take place.

Tinubu, however, turned down the advice and refused to withdraw the bills .

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp