fbpx
Connect with us

News

Barau: Five stages Tax Reform Bills must pass through before passage

Published

on

 

By Ismail Mudashir

For bills, including the contentious Tax Reform Bills, to be passed at the National Assembly, they must pass through the following stages:

A bill is a draft of a proposed law presented before the Senate and House of Representatives for deliberation. Such a bill can be given by the executive or members of the National Assembly (Senators or House of Representatives).

The four Tax Reform Bills are executive bills from the executive arm of government.

1: First Reading:

The Tax Reform Bills, like all other executive bills, scaled through the first reading when the letter by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to that effect, was read on the floor of both chambers of the National Assembly ( Senate and House of Representatives).

At the first reading, the bills are introduced to senators and members of the House of Representatives.

2: Second Reading:

In the second reading, the general principles of the bills are discussed at the chambers. The bill’s sponsors will present their lead debate; other lawmakers will be allowed to speak on it afterwards.

Since the tax reform bills are from the executive branch, the Senate Leader, Michael Opayemi Bamidele, presented the lead debate last Thursday during the plenary presided over by the president of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON.

When a bill scales through a second reading, it is referred to relevant committees for further legislative actions.

The Tax Reform Bills were on Thursday referred to the Senate Committee on Finance chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger State). It has six weeks to scrutinise the bills with stakeholders.

3: Committee Level

At this level, the bill would be subjected to thorough legislative scrutiny, and stakeholders would be given opportunities to contribute to shaping the draft laws.

The committee will organise a public hearing where all stakeholders, ulamas, pastors, socio-cultural, political, religious groups, experts, technocrats and other stakeholders would make input to the bills.

Before the public hearing, advertisements would be placed in newspapers while commercials would be aired on radio and television stations, requesting the submission of memoranda by stakeholders.

The committee Secretariat would aggregate the input of the stakeholders during the public hearing in addition to the memoranda submitted. This will form the committee’s report.

The input of the stakeholders is always the fulcrum of the committee’s report.
This is the level at which the Tax Reform Bills are now.

4: Third Reading.

At this point, the committee’s report would be presented and considered during the plenary in the chamber.

The chairman of the committee would present or lay the report. The chairman would read it.

After the reading, the clause-by-clause analysis of the bills will be done by a committee of the whole. All senators would vote on each clause of the bills.

If most senators vote in support of the bills, it would be passed for a third reading. If it is the other way around, it would be rejected.

The Tax Reform bills can be killed if the lawmakers vote against them.

But if the bill is passed, it would be sent to the Senate or House for concurrence, depending on its origin.

5 a: Signing of the Bill

After the bill is passed, the clerk will print and sign a final copy. The bill is issued after the appropriate presiding officer appends his signature.

5 b: President’s Assent/Signature

The final copy, as approved by both chambers, is presented to the president for his signature. The president’s signature is required to convert a bill into law, and section 58(4) of the Constitution requires the president to append his signature to the bill within 30 days of receipt.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, only presided over the plenary on Wednesday, during which the tax experts were allowed to educate the senators and indeed all Nigerians on tax reform bills.

During the sitting, Senator Barau neither supported nor kicked against the bill; instead, he emphasised an urgent need for all to be educated on the proposed laws. Nothing more.

#

News

Assistant Commissioner Daniel Amah Converts to Islam

Published

on

 

An Assistant Commissioner of Police in Kano, ACP Daniel Amah, has converted to Islam.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, popular broadcast journalist in Kano, Nasiru Salisu Zango, made the announcement.

Nasiru Zango, who made the post in Hausa, said our trusted friend ACP Daniel Amah has accepted Islam.

#

Nasiru Zango describes ACP Daniel Amah as a kind person. Every detainee will understand that during his days as DPO in Bompai, he used to provide mattresses for detainees and even built a mosque in the division.

 

Continue Reading

News

Barau’s Achievements in Kano North Surpass Kwankwaso’s-SLA Balan

Published

on

 

Comrade Isyaku Abubakar Balan, a Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has asserted that Senator Barau’s achievements in human development and community projects in Kabo Local Government and Kano North surpass those of former Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso during his time in the Senate.

Speaking to journalists in Kano, Balan highlighted Senator Barau’s numerous contributions, describing them as unprecedented.

“Barau has done so much for Kabo and Kano North that no sensible person can oppose him and support Kwankwaso.”

He emphasized that Senator Barau’s efforts in creating job opportunities are unprecedented, citing an instance where the senator facilitated jobs for 12 individuals in a single day, a feat he claims remains unmatched by Kwankwaso.

The legislative aide also praised Barau’s instrumental role in bringing the Federal Polytechnic to Kabo, which is now on course to be upgraded to a university.

He contrasted this with what he described as Kwankwaso’s lack of significant contributions to educational infrastructure in the area.

In terms of security, Balan noted that Senator Barau has made significant strides, including establishing a Police Service unit in his senatorial zone and providing vehicles and motorcycles for security personnel.

“These initiatives have directly enhanced community safety, while Kwankwaso has not done anything in the security sector.”

According to Balan Senator Barau’s developmental initiatives extend beyond security and education, with his efforts in ICT infrastructure, housing projects, and empowerment programs earning him widespread praise from residents.

The statement reflects the deep political rivalry between supporters of Barau and Kwankwaso, further intensifying debates over leadership and development in Kano State.

#
Continue Reading

News

Gov. Yusuf assigns new commissioners with portfolios

Published

on

 

Kano State Governor, Alh.Abba Kabir Yusuf has assigned new portfolios to the seven newly appointed Commissioners.

Shortly after taken oath of office and allegiance, Governor Yusuf urged the new appointees to serve with dedication, integrity and humility to salvage present administration’s high expectations from the state citizens.

A statement issued by Governor’s spokesman Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday said 13 Special Advisers and 6 Permanent Secretaries also took oath of office.

According to the release, Governor Yusuf tasked the Commissioners to foster team spirit and work in synergy to deliver expected results.

He explained that the choice of the new set of state executive council members were duly considered to accelerate his administration’s vision centred on good governance, sustainable development, and well-being of the citizens.

#

“I remain fully committed to fulfiling my campaign promises. These appointments therefore reflect our determination to identify and empower individuals who will help us implement policies and programmes that make a tangible difference in the lives of our citizens.”

“Over the past months, we have worked tirelessly to address pressing issues, including infrastructure development,
education, healthcare, security, empowerment and employment
generation for the citizens.

“Today’s appointments and the creation of the Local Government Service Commission further demonstrate our resolve to build a more efficient and people centred government,” Governor Yusuf maintained.

He further charged the appointees to serve the citizens with their
best abilities via working hand in hand with each other to ensure effective service delivery.

He assured the present administration would do everything possible to transform the lives of its citizens positively.

In the new portfolios, the former Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, is assigned to Ministry of Investment, Commerce and Trade; AbdulKadir Abdulsalam, former Accountant General now commissioner in charge of Rural and Community Development while Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiye is deployed to Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs.

Governor Yusuf further directed Dr. Gaddafi Shehu Sani to manage the newly established Ministry of Power and Sustainable Energy; Dr. Dahiru Hashim commissioner for Environment; and Dr. Ismail Aliyu DanMaraya now in charge of Finance while Nura Iro Ma’aji assumed the ministry of Procurement and Project Monitoring.

On the Special Advisers, Governor Yusuf said Yusif Jibrin Oyoyo appointed as Students matters., Prof. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya (Emirates Council), Sani Musa Danja (Youths and sports), Barr. Aminu Husaini Sagagi (Justice and Constitution matters) Sani Adamu Yola (Local Government Projet) and Dr Ibrahim Musa (Health Services and personal physician to Governor).

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi administered the Orth of Office for the appointees before the state governor.

In their separate vote of thanks, Commissioner Sagagi, Special Adviser, Dr. Ismail Lawal Sulaiman and Permanent Secretary, Aminu Bashir promised to institutionalised government policies in their respective offices to ensure the vision and mission of Governor Yusuf led NNPP administration are achieved.

 

Continue Reading

Trending