The National Assembly has announced steps to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in the recently passed Tax Acts, assuring Nigerians that certified copies of the bills assented to by President Bola Tinubu will be made available for public scrutiny.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Information, Mr Bullah Bi-Allah, said the leadership of the National Assembly had directed the Clerk to release the transmitted tax bills, including their certificate pages, to enable members of the public verify the authenticity of the documents.
Bi-Allah said the management of the National Assembly had taken note of allegations pointing to differences between the votes and proceedings of the legislature and the gazetted versions of the Tax Acts.
He explained that the decision to release the documents followed calls by Nigerians for greater transparency, adding that public access to the certified copies would allow independent review and verification.
The director noted, however, that despite the heightened public interest, only a limited number of individuals had formally applied for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised bills, stressing that all such requests had already been processed.
According to him, the Clerk of the National Assembly is 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 on Thursday.
Bi-Allah clarified that while the Clerk is responsible for initiating the gazetting process, the statutory duty of printing and publication rests with the Federal Government Printing Press.
To strengthen institutional procedures, he said the National Assembly would review its processes for the transmission and gazetting of bills.
“Henceforth, all bills forwarded for presidential assent will be routed through presidential liaison officers,” he said.
He added that no request for the gazetting of an Act of the National Assembly would be entertained by the Printing Press unless initiated by the Clerk of the National Assembly or an authorised representative.
The National Assembly, he said, appreciates Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in promoting transparency, accountability and professionalism in the legislative process.
