Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the Red Chamber is going ahead with the process of passing the tax bills.
Speaking during plenary on Thursday, the Senate President explained that the committee led by Senator Abba Moro, established to interface with the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on the contentious aspects of the bills, is part of the Senate’s internal mechanisms.
“We are elected to work for the interest of Nigerians,” Akpabio said, adding, “Once a bill passes a second reading in the Senate, it is alive. It is then up to the committee on finance to begin consultations and hold public hearings.”
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) has earlier clarified that the Senate had not suspended deliberations on the tax reform bills.
Bamidele debunked media reports claiming that the Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin’s announced indefinite suspension of action on the bills during Wednesday’s plenary.
On Wednesday, Senator Barau, who presided over the session, was reported to have said that the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), will put on hold further action on the bills.
He had also announced the formation of a special committee led by Senator Moro to engage with the AGF on the concerns raised.
However, Bamidele, invoking Senate Rule 42 on Thursday, asked: “Where was it stated that we have suspended our proceedings on the tax reform bills? This Senate did not suspend and does not intend to suspend, deliberations on the tax reform bills.
“These bills are executive bills and can only be withdrawn by the President. There is no basis for their withdrawal, and the Senate Committee on Finance is actively working to meet its six-week deadline, including conducting a public hearing. The bills remain very much alive.”
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