A group, the Christian Conscience, has urged the National Assembly to engage relevant stakeholders in robust and informed public debate before passing the tax reform bills forwarded by President Bola Tinubu.

The Christian Conscience made the call in a communique issued by its National President, Dr Yetunde Akinluyi, and National Secretary, Revd Kolawole Verrals, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

The non-government governmental organisation expressed a belief that the bill, if passed into law, will streamline Nigeria’s tax regime but warned that before it is passed it must be inclusive of various shades of opinions.

It stated: “Such reforms must be subjected to robust and informed public debate because in our opinion, a public hearing on tax reform is essential. It will allow Nigerians from all segments of life to engage meaningfully in the process. Such actions, we believe, will build public trust and ensure inclusivity in lawmaking.

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“All over the world, there is nothing wrong with tax reforms because it is a critical issue in nation building provided all relevant stakeholders are carried along, more so from our findings, the tax reform bills before the National Assembly are aimed at economic transformation to empower Nigerians and facilitate inclusive economic growth.”

The group further enjoined all political leaders to see Nigeria as one nation, saying they should not play politics of divide and rule.

“Our leaders should not read political, religious and sectional meanings into what the federal government does but where necessary criticise constructively with facts and figures because Nigeria belongs to all of us.

“We felicitate with all Nigerians as we approach another end-of-year celebration. The Christian faithful are being admonished to celebrate moderately the coming Christmas and New Year and pray that God will always manifest positively in the affairs of the nation.”

The Star