Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East in the National Assembly, has expressed optimism that the recently passed tax bills will significantly boost revenue generation across all tiers of government, especially the states and local governments.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Sam Segun-Progress, and made available in Osogbo on Friday, Fadahunsi noted that the bills, once signed into law, would positively impact the lives of Nigerians, particularly those at the lower end of the economic spectrum.
“Initially, I was skeptical about the bills because of the negative media debate its introduction generated. But my doubts were erased when I read the bills. The contributions of various stakeholders also helped to expand my knowledge about the proposed law,” he said.
The senator admitted that public reactions to the bills at the early stage were mostly uninformed and driven by sentiment.
“Like I said earlier, I was skeptical at first because the bill generated a lot of reactions from people who had no access to it. They just opposed because of some primordial sentiments. But upon critical study, I discovered it was the right way to go. The National Assembly has done exceptionally well with the passage of the bills.”
Looking ahead, Fadahunsi emphasized that once the bills are signed into law, state and local governments would be better positioned financially. “The two tiers of government will be empowered to meet the needs of the people and improve the standard of living. They will definitely perform better,” he added.
He further urged governors and local council chairmen to adopt transparency and accountability in managing the additional resources that will accrue from the new tax regime.
Fadahunsi also praised President Bola Tinubu for his foresight, and lauded the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, for his “consistency and doggedness” in steering the bills through rigorous public scrutiny.
PUNCH
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