The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), has expressed confidence that the tax reform bills will be passed by the National Assembly despite opposition.

In an interview in Abuja on Monday, December 2, 2024, the former governor of Bayelsa State said that the National Assembly will pass the tax reform bills similarly to the Petroleum Industry Bill.

On October 3, 2024, President Tinubu presented four tax reform bills to the National Assembly in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajuddeen Abbas, during separate plenaries.

However, several Nigerians, including governors, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, federal lawmakers, and others, have opposed the bills.

The Senate passed the bill for a second reading last week, while the House of Representatives has yet to act on the bills.

Senator Dickson shared his thoughts, saying, “The PIA was passed. We wanted 10%, which was what Yar’adua proposed. They (federal lawmakers) reduced it to 3%. Heaven did not fall. These tax reform bills will pass and heavens will not fall.

“The Senate has passed the bills for the 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.

“Right now, taxes from Bayelsa State are paid to Lagos State and I don’t want that to continue. When there is consumption of any goods or services from any state, it should be calculated and paid to that state.

“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 feel 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.”