President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Justice to work closely with the National Assembly to ensure that all “genuine concerns” are addressed before the tax reform bills are passed.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

Idris said the nationwide debate on the new tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly is welcomed and commendable.

The minister stated that the fiscal reforms will not impoverish any state or region of the country, adding that they will not lead to the scrapping or weakening of any federal agencies.

He said the bills will bring relief to hardworking Nigerians across the country and empower and position states and the 774 Local Government Areas for sustainable growth and development.

Idris noted: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing an ambitious fiscal reform agenda that will devolve more resources to Nigeria’s State and Local Governments, and ultimately to the Nigerian people, in the spirif of harnessing democracy that works for the people.

“It is pertinent to state that the government has nothing sinister to warrant the suggestion that the process is being rushed. In line with the established legislative procedure, the Federal General welcomes meaningful inputs that can address whatever grey areas there may be in the bill.

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“In this vein, President Tinubu has already directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and relevant officials who worked on the drafts to work closely with the National Assembly to ensure that all genuine concerns have been addressed before the bills are passed.”

Idris added that in addition to the four tax bills being debated and deliberated upon, there is also the Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy for local governments, which he said will significantly empower the tier of government that is closest to Nigerians.

The minister stated: “In all, these reforms will not only facilitate increased revenues (without imposing additional tax burdens on the people), they will also make it possible for citizens to demand and enjoy greater accountability in the management of public resources at all levels of government.

“President Tinubu and the administration will continue to champion policies that close the loopholes and gaps through which Nigeria’s valuable public resources have been frittered away for decades.

“On top of this necessary foundation, the resources being conserved and realised from these reforms will be invested in critical infrastructure (healthcare, education, transportation, digital technology, etc) and in social investments that will benefit all Nigerians and ensure that no one is left behind.”

The Star