News
Southern Reps Caucus Welcomes Tax Reform Bill, Open to Dialogue
Members of the House of Representatives Southern Caucus have expressed frankness to dialogue on the proposed tax reform bills currently before the NationalAssembly.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, in Abuja, Rep. Nicholas Mutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Bomadi/Patani federal constituency of Delta State confirmed their willingness to engage constructively.
Mutu stated: “The Southern Caucus of the House of Representatives has met and welcomed the tax reform bill with enthusiasm. At the right time, we will address the concerns raised and incorporate the people’s interests that might be missing in the bill. The bill is good for Nigeria, and we are open to discussions.
“We are not outrightly endorsing the bill; we are open to dialogue. This is the first step. We acknowledge the bill and are ready to deliberate on its contents”.
Fredrick Agbedi (PDP-Bayelsa), addressing questions on the bill’s legislative process, explained: “The National Assembly has the constitutional responsibility to review and pass proposals, whether from the executive or private individuals. This bill, signed by the president, will follow due process, including consultations with the public. As representatives, we are in constant communication with our constituents and will ensure the final law reflects their input.
“Our role is to ensure a fair, inclusive tax law. The process involves rigorous scrutiny and amendments before passage by both chambers of the National Assembly. The president will then assent to the revised bill.”
Babajimi Benson also emphasized the importance of thorough review:
“National bills often bring diverse interests to the table, but through negotiation and dialogue, we aim to reach a consensus that benefits Nigerians. The tax reform bill will undergo careful consideration to ensure it serves the people’s best interests.”
The Southern Caucus reaffirmed their readiness to contribute to a robust legislative process, ensuring the tax reform aligns with the nation’s development goals.
According to him, such financial mishandling not only disrupts critical public services and projects but also results in major losses to the nation’s purse—resources that could have been channelled into crucial services and developmental efforts, as laid out in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution.
Speaker Abbas, thereafter setup a Special Committee to be chaired by Rep. Chinedu Martins to immediately launch a probe into the “Utilisation of take-off grants, bailout funds, and interventions allocated to MDAs, government institutions, and GOEs from 2015 to present.”
The FCT Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, expressed satisfaction with the progress on the Abuja light rail project, reaffirming its May 29 delivery as sacrosanct.
He made these assurances after inspecting the ongoing construction of access roads to the train stations on Wednesday, from Metro Train Station in the Central Area to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Reassuring journalists accompanying him, the minister reiterated that President Bola Tinubu would commission the rail project on May 29 to mark his second year in office.
The visited stations were Wupa station near Idu and Bassanjiwa station near the airport.
“This is part of our routine inspection of ongoing projects to see the contractors’ progress,” Wike explained.
“We are working day and night to fulfill our promise to President Tinubu and FCT residents. By May, Mr. President will ride on the Metro line.”
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen are currently invading some communities in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to sources, the herdsmen armed with AK-47 rifles stormed the community around 04:15pm on Thursday.
“Our lives are in danger this evening, armed Fulani herdsmen, about 600 in numbers have taken over our communities this evening,” a resident told SaharaReporters.
“They’re currently moving around towns in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state. No security personnel at all, Governor Alia didn’t send security, they said operation will start soon once they (herders) have observed the place.”
The insecurity situation in Benue has been alarming in recent weeks with attacks from gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
The media had reported that suspected herdsmen again unleashed terror in Benue State, attacking three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) on Wednesday, just a day after 11 people were killed in a deadly raid on Otobi community.
The latest victims of the escalating violence were Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju, communities that had previously suffered an attack in February, which left five people dead.
However, the renewed attack has created fear and mass displacement among residents, with women and children fleeing to safety.
Local sources say the death toll from the fresh attack remains unclear, but several casualties are feared.
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