Reps to consult experts on Tax Reform Bills — Deputy spokesman

The House of Representatives has expressed its readiness to engage tax experts to brief it on the implications of the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly for consideration.

The deputy spokesman of the House, Mr Philip Agbese, disclosed this on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH in Abuja.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council recently introduced four executive bills aimed at streamlining the tax processes, establishing a unified revenue service, and simplifying financial obligations for businesses and citizens.

The reforms resulted from a months-long review of existing tax laws by the Taiwo Oyedele-led committee, which was inaugurated in August 2023. The committee’s recommendations were harmonised into four executive bills, which were transmitted to the National Assembly in September 2024.

Last week, the 36 state governors called for the withdrawal of the bills to allow for more consultations. This followed the earlier position taken by 19 state governors who rejected the bill on the grounds that it was against the interests of the North and the state governments.

Notwithstanding the position of the governors, the Presidency has insisted that the bills should be considered by Parliament, while not ruling out possible reviews by federal lawmakers.

Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, Agbese expressed the House’s readiness to engage Nigerians on the issue through Town Hall meetings.

He said, “Where necessary, we will bring in experts to dissect them line by line and understand what exactly Nigerians think about it. They (the executive bills) will be subjected to a Town Hall engagement with the citizens for their input. We are known for being the People’s House, and that mantra under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abass will be sustained at all times.”