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President Bola Tinubu has kicked against the recommendation of the National Economic Council (NEC) to withdraw the tax reform bills generating controversy.
The Northern Governors’ Forum had opposed the bills, saying they were against the interest of the region.
After its meeting on Thursday, NEC recommended that the bills should be withdrawn for more consultation.
But responding in a statement which Bayo Onanuga, his media aide issue on his behalf on Friday, Tinubu asked NEC to allow the process run its full course.
The statement read in part: “President Bola Tinubu has received the National Economic Council’s recommendation that the tax reform bills already sent to the National Assembly be withdrawn for further consultation.”
“President Tinubu commends the National Economic Council members, especially Vice President Kashim Shettima and the 36 State Governors, for their advice.
“He believes that the legislative process, which has already begun, provides an opportunity for inputs and necessary changes without withdrawing the bills from the National Assembly.
“While urging the NEC to allow the process to take its full course, President Tinubu welcomes further consultations and engagement with key stakeholders to address any reservations about the bills while the National Assembly considers them for passage.”
The president said further imputes could be made during public hearings at parliament, explaining that the tax committee which put up the proposal consulted widely.
“When President Tinubu set up the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy Reform in August 2023, he had only one objective: to reposition the economy for better productivity and efficiency and make the operating environment for investment and businesses more conducive. This objective remains more critical even today than ever before.
“The Committee worked for over a year and received inputs from various segments of society across the geopolitical zones, including trade associations, professional bodies, different Ministries and Government Agencies, Governors, traders, students, business owners, and the organised private sector.
“The tax reform bills that emerged were distilled from the extensive work of the Presidential Committee.
“The tax bills before the National Assembly aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax administration processes, completely overhaul the nation’s tax operations, and align them with global best practices.”
