Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has emphasized that the National Assembly will ensure an open debate on President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills to allow Nigerians to share their views.
Speaking to journalists in his hometown of Ilawe Ekiti on Saturday evening, after the Ilawe Unity Day celebration and the launch of a N500 million support fund for the establishment of the community’s teaching hospital annex, Adaramodu defended the tax reform proposals.
While the bills have been met with criticism, particularly from those who assume that tax reforms always burden the people, Adaramodu refuted these concerns.
He noted that many of the critics had not even seen the bills and were reacting based on assumptions about taxation in general.
He argued, “I don’t see anything retrogressive in the tax reform bills.” The senator, who represents Ekiti South Senatorial District, further clarified, “Have those criticising the tax reform bill seen them? A tax reform bill that is going to exclude low-income earners from paying, are you going to say that that one is retrogressive? A tax reform bill that is going to make sure that there is no double or multiple taxation, I don’t see anything that is retrogressive about the tax reform bills.”
Adaramodu assured that the public would be given ample opportunity to voice their opinions through a public hearing in the National Assembly.
He stated, “Let Nigerians wait, we are going to conduct an open debate about it. We will call public hearing in the National Assembly and everybody is free to come there to present his or her own view. Then the aggregate of those views is going to be what the National Assembly will consider in taking position.”
The senator also discussed the reform’s potential to benefit consumers, highlighting the proposed changes to the Value Added Tax system.
He explained that the new structure would focus on consumption, meaning regions with larger populations and higher consumption of goods would generate more VAT.
“So where we have high population and they consume a lot of commodities, definitely, such place will generate more VAT. Then it is believed and it is equitable and fair that those people that pay more of VAT should enjoy more,” Adaramodu noted.
The tax reform bills are designed to encourage productivity, according to the senator, and he urged the public to participate in the upcoming hearings.
“When it is time to conduct a public hearing, people should come there and showcase their own ideas, feelings, and contributions so that when we aggregate all these, that is what the National Assembly will be putting into our final position on the tax reform bill,” he said.
In a festive atmosphere, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, also expressed his satisfaction with the successful hosting of the Unity Day celebration and the progress his community has made since his ascension to the throne.
The monarch proudly mentioned the achievements of the past few years, including the establishment of a federal college of education, the teaching hospital annex, a high court, magistrate court, general hospital, and better road access to Ilawe from neighboring towns like Ado Ekiti.
“With the support of my people, we have got a federal college of education, a teaching hospital annex, a high court, a magistrate court, a general hospital and good access roads to Ilawe from not less than five neighbouring towns, including the state capital, Ado Ekiti. I pray that many more will come,” Oba Alabi said.
He also expressed gratitude to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, for his efforts in improving infrastructure in the region.
“For example, the governor made Ilawe to Erinjiyan, Ilawe to Igede, Ilawe to Ado-Ekiti motorable. The tarring of Ilawe to Ikere Road is ongoing. We are grateful for these. We also thank the governor for supporting the state general hospital along Ilawe-Ikere Road,” the monarch added.
In recognition of their contributions to the community, the Ilawe people conferred chieftaincy titles on notable individuals, including Senator Orji Kalu and Otunba Rasaq Adesanya.
Also honoured were the Chairman of the Ekiti South West Local Government Area, Richard Apolola, Professor Ifedayo Akomolede, and posthumously, Mrs. Josephine Olayemi.
