ABUJA: Senators from Nigeria’s South-South region have expressed strong backing for the Tax Reform Bills presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu. The lawmakers, under the South-South Senators’ Forum, emphasized the significance of these reforms in increasing national revenue and enhancing economic stability.
The four bills in question—the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB.583), Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024 (SB.584), Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 2024 (SB.585), and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024 (SB.586) successfully passed their second reading in the Senate and have been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for further consideration.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the Forum’s Chairman, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), the lawmakers assured of their commitment to thoroughly reviewing the bills to ensure they serve national interests, with particular focus on the South-South region. They also called on South-South governors to collaborate with lawmakers to refine the bills for the region’s benefit.
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The Forum expressed full confidence in Senate President Godswill Akpabio for his leadership in steering the Senate’s constitutional duties. The senators also urged that the legislative process remain free of regional, ethnic, or tribal biases, advocating for open consultations and discussions.
The statement was endorsed by 15 other senators, including notable members from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states. Together, they reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the peace and prosperity of the nation while addressing the specific needs of the South-South region.
