Twenty four hours after the Northern Elders’forum (NEF) called on federal lawmakers from the zone to kick against the Tax Reform bills, a prominent Northern lawmaker , Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin from Kano State , declared that the bills will be passed by both chambers of the National Assembly soonest.
Hon Jibrin who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat , gave the assurance while featuring in the Politics Today Edition of the TVC aired on Sunday night , said President Bola Tinubu through the tax reform bills and other economic policies, is giving his today for Nigerians’ tomorrow.
“I have never had any doubt about the consideration and passage of the tax reform bills. We will pass the tax reform bills,” he said.
He added that though wrong perception about the reform bills is very strong in the North where he comes from but required sensitisation on the merits and necessity for the reforms is being done to correct the perception.
“For those of us who have read through the bills very thoroughly, the aggregate of their advantages far surpass whatever perceived disadvantages perceived by anybody or part of the country.
“President Tinubu is not out for a battle on the bill, just like the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), but for understanding their objectives and goals, which are all geared towards better revenue generation and distribution for economic survival of the country.
“Yes, there may be contentious clauses in the bills, but that should not mean that they should be thrown away or not considered by the National Assembly.
“Since the bills are already with us, the onus lies with both chambers to allow them pass through the required legislative processes which would pave way for amendment of any contentious clauses, since they are not cast in stone in the first place.
“As I said a couple of days ago in a similar programme like this, many of those kicking against the bills, have not read them but are just listening to wrong narratives being churned out by some other people,” he explained.
He added that the fuel aubsidy removal and cancellation of parallel FOREX market carried out by President Tinubu last year and the proposed tax reform, will transform the Nigeria economy despite the hardships and pains being experienced by Nigerians now.
“President Tinubu, to me, is giving his today for Nigerians’ tomorrow through the courageous and long term result-oriented reforms being carried out now,” he stressed.