Controversial Tax Reform Bills scale second reading at Senate

The much contentious tax reform bills, have been passed for second reading by the Senate in plenary on Thursday.

Passage of the reform bills totalling four, for second reading by the Senate, was sequel to presentations made to that effect by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), in general lead debate on them.

After lead debate presentations on the bills by the Senate Leader, many of the Senators who made contributions on the bills like Senators Sani Musa (APC Niger East), Seriake Dickson (PDP Bayelsa West), Abba Moro (PDP Benue South) and Senate Whip , Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North), fully supported the bill.

But Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno South), kicked against the reform bills on the grounds of timing and lack of wider consultations.

The Senate at the session presided over by its President, Godswill Akpabio, accordingly passed the bills for second reading through voice vote.

It therefore mandated its committee on Finance, to organise Public hearing on the bill for inputs from those against the bills like the Governorss forum, National Economic Council (NEC), Northern Elders ‘ Forum (NEF) etc and report back within six weeks.