The Northern Coalition Group for Senator Jibrin Barau, the Deputy President of the Senate, on Tuesday threw its weight behind the tax reform bills saying it will address the decadence in the tax system of the country.
Addressing journalists at a peaceful protest in front of the National Assembly complex in Abuja, the Chairman of the group, Malam Tijani Kabiru Mohammed called on federal lawmakers from the nineteen northern states to support and ensure the speedy passage of the bills.
Recall that the tax reform bills have been a subject of controversy especially by lawmakers from the North led by Senator Ali Ndume who called for its immediate withdrawal for further consultation since the Governors Forum and traditional rulers are against it.
Ndume said although he was not against reform in any way because any nation who wants to develop must embrace it.
He said he was however against the Tax Reform Bills because of it’s timing and the variation in Value Added Tax, VAT.
However, Mohammed while speaking with journalists said the tax reform bills from all indications are in order and meant well for the people of the North.
“We are here today from all the nineteen northern states of the country in solidarity with the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau on the Tax Reform Bills. The Tax Reform Bills are in order and Nigerians from all walks of life should work towards its perfection and passage.
“For so long, we have lived on a tax system that has not produced anything good or meaningful for this nation. We from the North are totally in support of this bills,” he said.
He said, the group will continue to move round all the states in the North to canvass support for the tax reform bills.
Mohammed also advised those who are kicking against the Tax Reform Bills to reconsider their stand and look into the bills again to ensure its passage.
