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Two Critical Reasons to Reconsider Controversial Tax Reform Bills – Senator Ndume

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1 month ago

Nov 29, 2024.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has identified poor timing as a key factor contributing to opposition against the proposed tax reform bills.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, Ndume acknowledged that while the bill could have good potential, introducing it at this time would be problematic due to the current public perception of the administration.

“As it is today, when you talk about reforms to Nigerians, whether good or bad, they misconceive you,” Ndume said.

He also pointed out the contentious issues of derivation and Value Added Tax (VAT), stating that these provisions were likely to face resistance. “Derivation and VAT are not something that many of us will agree to,” he added.

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Ndume suggested that the bill be withdrawn to allow for further review, emphasizing that he was not opposed to the bill itself. “Reform is necessary if we have to move forward. I am not again reforms and I am not against the tax reform bills. My problem is first of all, timing.”

He continued, “Let it be on record that my second issue with the bill is the issue of derivation. It makes the bill contaminated and contradictory in some cases.”

Immediate past Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume

Ndume explained that some of the provisions in the bill would require constitutional amendments to be effective. “The constitution has to be amended for some of these provisions to be effective. I’m glad we are doing constitutional review so even if it means reviewing the constitution lets do that.”

He urged lawmakers to consider the proposals from governors and the National Economic Council (NEC). “We should go with what the governors and the NEC proposed. I’m not saying that the bills should be killed. But we have to withdraw the bill, work on it, and submit it to the national assembly again.”

Finally, Ndume called for sincerity in the process. “Let’s be sincere to ourselves. If we sit down here and work on this bill assuming as it is now because the governors have not come out publicly to change their position. The traditional rulers and NEC have not sat down publicly to change their positions.”

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