Tax Reforms: ACF Forms Committee to Review Proposed Bills

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has established a committee to thoroughly examine the newly proposed tax reform bills, aiming to assess their impact on Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.

The Arewa Consultative Forum has established a committee of specialists to examine the proposed tax reform bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly, with the aim of formulating suitable recommendations to be submitted to the relevant government bodies.

This information was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba.

The ACF indicated that the ongoing discussions regarding the proposed tax reforms by the National Economic Council and other key stakeholders imply that insufficient consultations were conducted during the drafting of the bills.

“ACF acknowledges that regular public policy reforms align with political and administrative processes, and such reforms are indeed essential and beneficial. Nothing within any community remains unchanged, and policies must adapt to address emerging challenges and seize new opportunities,” the statement articulated.

Moreover, the forum observed that the apparent urgency exhibited by proponents of the bills, particularly the Federal Government, to expedite their passage through the Senate fosters perceptions of specific, albeit unarticulated, underlying interests.

The forum praised the Senate for opting for broader consultations with pertinent stakeholders to address concerns related to the bills.

It urged all citizens and interest groups to collaborate with the designated Senate Committee responsible for this task. Additionally, it called for restraint, decorum, and mutual respect in discussions surrounding the provisions of the proposed bills, emphasizing the timeless principle that no individual possesses a monopoly on knowledge or wisdom.

“Debates continue to intensify regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed bills, with positions being passionately and vigorously defended. However, it is troubling that these discussions have devolved into acrimony, creating divisions among different regions of the country.

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It is deeply unfortunate that discussions surrounding the proposed bills have frequently devolved into the use of unpleasant and often abusive language aimed at discrediting, coercing, or intimidating individuals who are perceived, whether accurately or not, as either supporting or opposing the bills and their specific components currently under review in the Senate.

It is important to emphasize that the implications of these proposed bills will affect every citizen and every region of the nation. The ACF acknowledges that debates regarding legislation are integral to the public policy process, particularly within democratic frameworks. Reforms intended to rectify policy deficiencies must comprehensively address all concerns that citizens may wish to express.

The ACF encourages all interest groups to view the discussions surrounding the provisions of the bills as vital contributions to the policy-making process. The expression of differing opinions and perspectives is a fundamental aspect of the legislative process, consistent with democratic principles, ensuring the development of strong laws that will endure over time.

Ultimately, the laws resulting from this process are designed to benefit the entire nation, rather than serving the interests of specific groups at the expense of others, as some may suggest, according to the ACF.

In October, President Tinubu urged the National Assembly to approve the passage of these bills into law.

The bills include 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.

On November 28, the tax reform bills successfully passed their second reading in the Senate.