The member representing Chibok, Damboa, and Gwoza Federal Constituency of Borno State, Hon. Ahmed Jaha stated that he raised concern over some provisions of the Tax Reform Bill because they are areas that need to be addressed.
Jaha while speaking to journalists after the passage of the bill through second reading in his office yesterday, stated that concerns were raised at the beginning because of the way it was transmitted to the National Assembly by the executive.
“First of all, the bill was transmitted despite rejection by the members of the National Economic Council, despite rejection by the elders across the country, despite rejection by the Governors’ Forum, particularly the Northern Governors’ Forum across the country.”
He added: “That was the reason why it generated a lot of controversies at the very beginning when the bill was presented. In other words, members of the parliament, particularly in the House of Representatives, were not on the same page as usual.”
The lawmaker however added that, while he disagreed with some of the provisions, there are areas that he has endorsed.
He said, “My position as a person is to maintain the status quo. The highest I can concede as far as my opinion and the opinion of my constituents is to cede 20 percent based on derivation or based on generation derivation.
“In other words, wherever these companies have their headquarters, 20 percent can be given to them.
“That’s what we have currently in Section 40 of the current Act that is governing the VAT distribution. But if it’s based on consumption derivation and there is enough and adequate technology and infrastructure to track consumption, analyse consumption, and distribute or share them accordingly, then to me, it’s a very good deal because there is fairness.
“Instead of you remitting 30 percent or 20 percent simply because these companies that generated this money or VAT have been headquartered in certain locations, we give them that money for you to be fair to Nigerians, it’s for you to pay this 30 percent to where actually the consumption took place.
“So this is where I’m satisfied. And the second area where I am actually satisfied is there is a consensus among all honorable members that NITDA is not going to be terminated, NASENI is not going to be terminated and TETFUND is not going to be terminated, bearing in mind their importance to the national development.”
He also objected to the proposed inheritance tax which he said was against the provisions of Islam, Christianity, and other religions.
According to him, Islam was explicit and did not allow tampering with a deceased estate.
