Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has voiced his concerns over the swift passage of the Tax Reform Bill in the Senate, questioning the haste with which the legislation is being processed.
Ndume expressed his objections during a debate on the Senate floor, particularly over the issues of derivation and the Value Added Tax (VAT), emphasizing that these provisions are not likely to garner widespread support among his colleagues.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume pointed out the unusual speed of the tax reform process, contrasting it with the decade-long delay in passing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which he described as a critical piece of legislation.
He expressed suspicions about the rapid advancement of the tax reform bill, particularly regarding the involvement of the Executive branch in pushing the legislation through.
The senator called for a broader national consultation before the bill is debated further, urging the federal government to resolve outstanding concerns before advancing the legislation.
He also raised alarms over the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) proposal to centralize tax collection, warning that this could negatively impact the entire tax system.
Although Ndume expressed his general support for the president’s success and clarified that he is not opposed to the bill itself, he called for it to be withdrawn for further consultations to ensure broader agreement, particularly among state governors, many of whom, especially in the North, may not support the bill.
He cautioned that without proper consensus, the bill could lead to significant challenges.
