Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP Bayelsa West) has expressed strong support for the Tax Reform Bills, stating that their passage will not cause significant disruption, as reported by DAILY INDEPENDENT.
He made this statement during an interview with journalists at the National Assembly on Monday.
The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, dismissed opposition to the bills and underlined the importance of basing arguments on facts and statistics rather than emotions.
Dickson pointed out that if the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) could pass despite challenges, the tax bills could follow the same path.
The Tax Reform Bills passed a second reading in the Senate last week, sparking debates across the country.
Critics have raised concerns about potential disruptions during the upcoming public hearing, however, Dickson assured the public that the hearing would provide a platform for constructive discussions.
He reminded critics that the PIA was enacted with a three percent statutory fee for host communities, despite calls for a higher percentage.
The senator highlighted that the tax reforms aim to correct longstanding anomalies in the financial system and argued that states like Bayelsa lose revenue because taxes on goods and services consumed within their boundaries are paid to other states, such as Lagos.
Dickson acknowledged that some states fear they may lose revenue under the new formula, however, he urged them to bring evidence to the discussion rather than rely on sentiments.
Addressing concerns about possible chaos during the public hearing, Dickson dismissed such fears, he assured that all voices would be heard and that no one would be silenced by opposition.
“Forget about uproar, there will be no uproar. Public hearing is an opportunity for people to present their matters, and nobody is going to be intimidated by uproar.”
“The PIA was passed. We wanted 10% which was what Yar’Adua proposed. They (federal lawmakers) reduced it to 3%. Heavens did not fall. This tax reform bills will pass and heavens will not fall,” he said.
