The Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change chairman, Seriake Dickson, declared that Northerners’ opposition to the tax reform bill will not stop it from being enacted.
The Northern Governors’ Forum, some federal lawmakers, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders, amongst others, are opposing the bill, claiming it will only favour Lagos and Rivers.
“The PIA was passed. We wanted 10 per cent which was what Yar’adua proposed. They (federal lawmakers) reduced it to three per cent. Heaven did not fall. These tax reform bills will pass, and heavens will not fall,” Mr Seriake said on Monday, recalling that the Petroleum Industry Bill was passed into law, with adjustments made to what was originally proposed.
The senator added, “The Senate has passed the bills for second reading. Public hearing will take place and people should get ready to present their positions. The tax bill is a proposed law like every other and it has to go through the normal legislative process.
“Now there is an opportunity to review the tax laws, to correct the anomalies and that is why I’m in support. I know there are states that are feeling that when they apply the new sharing formula, they will earn less. It’s for them to raise those issues and bring the statistics. I don’t go by sentiments. I go by what is right and in the national interest.”
