By Christiana Ekpa
Members of the House of Representatives from the southern states have said the tax reform billse presently before the National Assembly were good for the country.
The southern caucus in the House led by Hon. Nicholas Mutu(PDP, Delta) made its position known at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday when it welcomed the bills.
According to the leader of the group, the southern lawmakers were open to dialogue on the proposed legislations but they were not supporting them.
“The Southern caucus of the House of Representatives, we have met and welcome the tax reform bills with so much excitement. And at the right time, we’ll capture the people’s element that is missing in the bills.
“Yes, the bills are good for Nigeria and are people-arranged bills…we are open to dialogue. We have not gone beyond that. We are not saying that we are supporting the bills. I didn’t say so. We are open to dialogue. This is just the first process. But just to inform you that we have received the bills, we welcome the bill, and then we are open to dialogue,” Mutu said.
Also speaking, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) said it was the responsibility of the National Assembly to receive proposals of any sort of bill from either the executive or the individual bills.
“Once they are received, they go through the House procedures, processes, and then the public is invited. Here, Mr. President has signed an executive bill.
“What the southern caucus is saying is that we are ready to take up our official responsibility of making laws for the nation. And so we welcome the bills and that as we process it, imputs are made from our various states and constituencies. Some states have already received those imputs.”
