In the last House session, tax authorities allay fears on President Tinubu’s tax bills as reps demand reversal of hikes in petrol and cooking gas prices while works minister is summoned
- FIRS says no new taxes will be introduced
Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has assured Nigerians that the ongoing President Bola Tinubu tax reform will reduce taxes, not introduce new ones or raise existing tax rates. He clarified that the primary goal is to reduce the number of taxes paid by Nigerians and increase the efficiency of tax administration in Nigeria. “The tax reform basically seeks to increase the simplicity and efficiency of tax administration in Nigeria.” Adedeji said while providing an update on four executive bills before the national assembly. Adedeji said when passed into law, the bills will harmonise multiple tax laws, enhance efficiency and modernisation, simplify tax regulations, and foster synergy among revenue-generating agencies. He also noted that no government department or agency would be merged, and no job would be lost in the course of implementing the reforms, adding that the existing tax policies are not meant to tax poverty. Adedeji gave these assurances during an interactive session with members of the House committee on finance in Abuja on Wednesday.
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- Reps urge FG to reverse recent hike in petrol and cooking gas
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government (FG) to immediately reverse the recent hike in petrol and cooking gas prices nationwide. In addition, lawmakers enjoined the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to implement monetary policies aimed at reducing the negative impact of rising fuel prices on inflation, particularly concerning essential goods and services across the country. Lawmakers also encouraged state governments to introduce measures that would ease the financial burden on citizens, such as waiving taxes or levies on transportation and goods affected by the increased fuel costs. Consequently, the House called on the government to explore other alternative energy sources and diversify the country’s energy mix inorder to reduce reliance on petrol and gas which might lead to the promotion of renewable energy. These decisions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance, moved by Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP Rivers) and 100 others, on “need to suspend the increased cost of petrol and cooking gas in the country and provide a stop-gap.” Moving the motion, Rep Chinda called attention to the hardship Nigerians have faced in meeting their basic needs in the past few month.
- Abuja, Kaduna, Kano highway: Reps invite minister of works to explain delay
The House of Representatives has invited the minister of works and housing, Sen. David Umahi, to provide explanations to the delay in completion of Abuja, Kaduna and Kano highways. The House urged the Federal Government to direct minister to prioritize the completion of the said roads by immediately releasing funds and ensure that strict timelines are followed. The House mandated the committee of appropriation to make budgetary provisions in the 2025 budget. These resolution followed a motion importance by Rep. Useni Mohammed Jalo, on the “need to complete Abuja, Kaduna, Kano roads and monitor the road to ensure early completion as directed by the executive.” Moving the motion, Rep. Jalo noted that about seven other resolution have been passed by the House on this same mater. He noted that the delay in completion of the road has turn the road to prime trap of kidnappers and death trap to commuters. The speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over session, after putting the question referred to the matter to an ad-hoc committee to report back to the House in four weeks.
BILLs CHART FOR THE DAY
Below is OrderPaper’s signature presentation of bills taken in the House plenary today. Readers are invited to contact us for further information via info@orderpaper.ng or WhatsApp via +234 704 700 3031
