Category: Legislative

Tax reform bill ‘ll engender healthy competition between the states – Senator Imasuen

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja     The Senator who represents Edo South in the senate , and a chieftain of the Labour Party(LP) Neda Imasuen has taken a stand on the debate about the propriety or otherwise of having a tax reform bill,saying that Nigeria is due for a reform in the area of taxation, this according to him can be done by way of revamping and rejigging our tax policies and laws to address the present day reality.   In his view, the tax reform bill is grossly misunderstood,…

LG Autonomy: Deputy Speaker Kalu expresses concerns,calls for collective commitment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has expressed deep concern about the state of local government councils in Nigeria, citing limited autonomy, financial constraints, and weakened administrative capacity as persistent challenges hindering their effectiveness.   Speaking on Monday at the National Dialogue on Local Government Reform in Abuja, Kalu emphasized the need for a collective commitment to advancing democratic principles and sustainable development at the grassroots level.   He highlighted the pivotal role of local governments as the closest tier of government to citizens, tasked with…

House of Reps to host National Dialogue on Local Government Reform and Constitutional Amendment

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu-led House Committee on Constitution Review (HCCR) is set to host a one-day National Dialogue on Local Government and Constitution Amendment. This event, in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), continues the Committee’s sectoral engagement with various stakeholders on the ongoing Sixth Alteration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). *Guest of Honour: Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, | Speaker, House of Representatives *Event Schedule:…

Tax Reform Bills propose New Sharing Formula, Cede 55% to State Govt ….. Exempt employees earning below N800,000 PAYE …… Mull zero VAT on exports and essential consumptions …… Reduce company income tax from 30% to 25%

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate on Thursday resumed its debate on the Tax Reform Bills, a set of four legislative proposals to increase value-added tax (VAT) distributable to the subnational governments to 55% while reducing the federal government’s share to 10%.   The new legislative regimes also proposed zero VAT on exports and essential consumptions by the masses and grant of input VAT credit on assets and services in addition to goods consumed by businesses to lower the cost of production   These far-reaching initiatives were contained in the lead debate of Leader…

Bill to expand Scope of Magistrate Courts passes 2nd reading in House of Reps

Lukman Laleye Babalola

A Bill seeking for an Act to expand the scope and meaning of Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and the Magistrate Court of a State on Wednesday passed Second Reading in the House of Representatives.   The bill which was sponsored by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen Ph.D and Hon. Abubakar Maki Yalleman is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Cap. C23, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Expand the…

Bill to establish Federal University of Agriculture Kura passes second reading in Senate

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Senator who represents Kano Central in the Red Chamber, Senator Rufai Hanga has stated that, Kano have been endowed with a lot of natural resources that if well harnessed can feed the Nation and beyond.   The Senator said there was no state in Nigeria that has more dams than Kano State, which when properly utilised will feed the Nation all year round.   This he said while leading the debate on a bill for an act to establish the federal university of agriculture…

NASS Mgt debunks news on presentation of 2025 budget by President Tinubu ….. Says National Assembly yet to approve 2024-2026 MTEF

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Secretary, Research and Information, (SRI), National Assembly, Dr. Ali Barde Umoru has reacted to a news report credited to him, alleging that, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will tomorrow Wednesday present the 2025 budget to the join session of the National Assembly.   The SRI described said the news circulating on both social and mainstream media, and other outlets as false, and fake,urged members of the public to disregard such information.   The secretary advised that any official enquiry and clarification should follow the official communication channels of the National…

Appear before us to give account of derivation fund – Sen Agadaga tells Oil Producing States

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   Senator Benson Agadaga,Bayelsa East who is the Chairman Senate Committee on Oil and Gas,Host Communities has issued a warning to States that benefits from the 13% derivation fund paid to oil producing State to appear before his Committee and explain how the money is utilised,even as the Committee sat for the second adjourned date without the State honouring their invitation.   According to him, since the passage of the PIA act in 2021,his committee is the second among the committees set up by law to…

No Altercation between Akpabio, Bamidele – Senate Leader Media Office

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Directorate of Media and Public Affairs,Office of the Senate Leader,Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has refuted reports currently being circulated on the X handle of one Jackson Ude,the media Office described the report as fake news, said Jackson Ude is a known serial blackmailer and cash-and-carry journalist. The post is about an alleged altercation and physical fight between Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday. The media Office said “For the record, it is a verifiable fact that Senator Bamidele has…

JUST IN: Senate grants Tinubu’s request to borrow fresh N1.77 trillion loan

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2 billion (approximately N1.77 trillion) to partially finance the ₦9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year.   The approval followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman, the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Aliyu Wamakko, during plenary.   With the approval, Nigeria’s total debt has now hit an all-time high to the tune of N136 trillion.   President Tinubu had written to the National Assembly requesting the Senate and House of Representatives to approve a…