The National Assembly has moved to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in recently passed Tax Acts, pledging to release certified copies of the bills signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. In a statement issued yesterday, the Director of Information, Mr. Bullah Bi-Allah, said the Assembly had directed the Clerk to make public the transmitted tax bills, including their certificate pages, to enable citizens to verify the documents.
He said the management of the National Assembly had taken note of claims of inconsistencies between the votes and proceedings of the legislature and the gazetted versions of the tax laws, adding that the decision followed widespread calls for greater transparency.
Bi-Allah noted that while public interest in the matter had been high, only a limited number of individuals had formally requested Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised bills, stressing that all such requests had been duly processed.
He said the Clerk was also working with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure the publication of the duly certified and assented Acts in line with legal requirements, with the gazettes expected to be ready yesterday.
The spokesman explained that although the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication rests with the Federal Government Printing Press, adding that procedures for the transmission and gazetting of bills would be reviewed to strengthen institutional processes.
“Henceforth, all bills for presidential assent will be routed through presidential liaison officers.
“No request for gazetting an act of the National Assembly will be entertained by the printing press, unless initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or his authorised representative.
“National Assembly appreciates Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in strengthening transparency, accountability and professionalism in the legislative process.”