According to the ACF, the policy, which is controversial at the moment, and over the past two weeks in the country, has been on the Executive Bills sent to the National Assembly, proposing sweeping changes in Nigeria’s tax laws.
The National Publicity Secretary, Prof Tukur Muhammed-Baba, in a statement yesterday, said: “ACF accepts that periodic public policy reforms are in line with the political and public administrative processes, in which regards reforms are indeed necessary and desirable.
“Reforms meant to correct policy shortcomings or inadequacies must necessarily address all areas of concern that citizens may wish to raise. The current debates suggest that not enough consultations went into the preparations of the bills, as obvious in concerns raised by critical stakeholders and various interest groups across Nigeria, including, critically, the National Economic Council, headed by the Vice President of the Federation.”
He lamented the apparent impatience by supporters of the bills, including the Federal Government, to have them speedily processed through the Senate.
He said: “It is therefore a welcome development that the Senate has wisely decided to tarry by electing for wider consultations with relevant stakeholders intended to address areas of concerns.
Calling on the Federal Government to allow the voices of opposition to the proposed tax bills, Muhammed said: “Expressions of contrarians’ opinions and views are necessary ingredients of the legislative process, in line with the dictates of democracy, to ensure that the emergence of robust laws that will stand the test of time.”
