Plenary proceedings, House of Reps, Thur, March 13th, 2025
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.
After the recitation of the First stanza of the National Anthem, the National Pledge and opening prayer, the Speaker approved the second votes and proceedings of Wednesday, March 12th, 2025.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
- Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2149) (Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde) – First Reading.
- Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2127) (Hon. Ahmad Abdullahi Kalambaina) – First Reading.
- Penal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2151) (Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde) – First Reading.
- Federal University Okigwe (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2025 (SB.396) (Senate) – First Reading.
- Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2186) (Hon. Daniel Agama Ago) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2025 (HB.2187) (Hon. Adefiranye Ayodele Festus) – First Reading.
- Body-Worn Cameras by Law Enforcement Officers Bill, 2025 (HB.2188) (Hon. Mohammed Danjuma Hassan) – First Reading.
- Federal College of Fisheries Technology and Marine Engineering, Ngo, River State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2189) (Hon. Awaji-Inombek D.Abiante) – First Reading.
- Paramedical Practitioner’s Institute of Nigeria Bill, 2025 (HB.2190) (Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu) – First Reading.
- Federal College of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Science, Ihebinowerre, Imo State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2191) (Hon. Harrison Anozie Nwadike) – First Reading.
- Chartered Institute of Business Development of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2192) (Hon. Billy F. Osawaru) – First Reading.
- Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2193) (Hon. Garba Umar Uba) –First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2025 (HB.2194) (Hon. Chinedu Ogah) – First Reading.
- Chartered Institute of Entrepreneurs and Investors of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.1231) (Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu) – First Reading.
- Halal Food Processing Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.1249) (Hon. Abdulmalik Zubairu) – First Reading.
PRESENTATION OF REPORT:
1. Ad–hoc Committee on the Petition by Comrade Igbini Odafe Emmanuel (Engr) against Total Energies E & P Nigeria Limited:Hon. Kwamoti Bitrus Laori:
“That the House do receive the Report of Ad–hoc Committee on the Petition by Comrade Igbini Odafe Emmanuel (Engr) against Total Energies E & P Nigeria Limited on Unethical Conduct perpetuated by the Management of the Company”.
The report was laid following a motion by Hon. Bitrus Laori and seconded by Hon. Tarkighir Dickson.
ORDERS OF THE DAY:
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen Chaired:
- Committee on Finance:
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Finance on a Bill For an Act to Provide for the Assessment, Collection of, and Accounting for Revenue Accruing to the Federation, Federal, States and Local Governments; Prescribe the Powers and Functions of Tax Authorities, and for Related Matters (HB.1756) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 11/3/2025).
Synopsis of the report:
Hon. James Faleke stated that the Bill is based on crucial work done to ensure core legislation for guidance of income and profits of government. It seeks proper tax Laws to eliminate ambiguity and provide clarity to the Nigerian tax payer of the implementation of government tax policies. The Bill also looked into the argument of tax exemption within Free Trade Zones to boost export earnings for Nigerians, to ensure that it is not manipulated against the Nigerian tax regime.
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-203
- Committee on Finance:
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Finance on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, No.13, 2007 and Enact the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill to Establish Nigeria Revenue Service, charged with Powers of Assessment, Collection of, and Accounting for Revenue Accruable to the Government of the Federation and for Related Matters (HB.1757) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 11/3/2025).
Synopsis of the report:
Hon. James Faleke stated that the Bill seeks to ensure the proposed Agency is properly positioned to collect all Nigerian taxes for onward remittance to government. It also seeks to ensure all tax gaps are plugged to ensure accountability and public confidence. It is to collaborate with other such Agencies of Government for harmonizing the generation, collection, transmission and implementation of tax funds for proper checks and balances. It also seeks to rejig the composition of the Directors of the Board to ensure fairness and equity in geographical distribution.
Summary of voting:
Clauses amended and approved: 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 28, 31, 36, 38, 39, 41 & 42.
- Committee on Finance:
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Finance on a Bill for an Act to Establish Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombud, for the Harmonisation, Coordination and Settlement of Disputes arising from Revenue Administration in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB.1758) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 11/3/2025).
Synopsis of the report:
Hon. James Faleke stated that the Bill seeks to ensure the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombud acts as proper watchdogs and regulatory system in order to ensure a proper tax structure for Nigerians. It is to regulate the tax regime system in Nigeria to prevent multiple taxation and ensure unnecessary waivers are discouraged. He stated that the need arose for some amendments to the Principal Act in order to ensure more effective discharge of these duties.
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-59.
4. Committee on Finance:Hon. James Abiodun Faleke:
“That the House do consider the Report of the Committee on Finance on a Bill for an Act to Repeal Certain Acts on Taxation and Consolidate the Legal Frameworks Relating to Taxation and Enact the Nigeria Tax Act to Provide For Taxation of Income, Transactions and Instruments, and for Related Matters (HB.1759) and approve the recommendations therein” (Laid: 11/3/2025).
Synopsis of the report:
Hon. James Faleke stated that the Bill seeks to cure certain controversies earlier found within the tax regime through the application of such measures as the review of the issuance of the tax identification card from 2-5 working days. It will allow ensure proper filing of company tax within 3 months instead of the earlier prescribed 6 months. It also ensures VAT is placed on the consumption point irrespective of its source of production. It will also ensure all VAT collected on behalf of government by agencies actually get remitted. It also seeks to ensure full digitalization of the tax system to keep all stakeholders informed in real time of all revenues for onward remittance to government. It will ensure the opening up of production and derivation. The Bill will also oversight the proper accreditation of tax agents for proper accountability. It will also seek the power to enforce penalties for tax defaulters. It also defines the powers of the President and Governors to administer tax remittance at Federal and State levels respectively as well as the power of the Accountant General to deduct at source so that revenue generating and coordinating Agencies do not act in violation of the Law. It also makes provisions for the exemption of the personnel of Military Forces and other such Security Agencies of Government saddled with the protection of Nigerian lives from Personal Income Tax. This he stated is in recognition of the sacrificial services these individuals render in keeping Nigerians safe.
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-143, 315, 383 & 387.
The Presiding Chairman commended the Ad-Hoc Committee on the proper work done and praised the collective and unified spirit of all Members of the Committee that comprised a Member from each state, 2 from each caucus and one from each region. He stated that the report is truly a representation of the needs and yearnings of Nigerians for a proper and trusted tax system and prayed for its success for the immediate and future benefit of all Nigerians. He also commended all Honourable Members for their patriotism, cooperation and unity of purpose in the consideration of the Tax Reform Bills which is obviously aimed at ensuring a properly functional tax structure for all Nigerians to benefit from.
HOUSE IN PLENARY:
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole following a motion by Hon. Julius Ihonbvere and seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
House Adjournment:
The House at 12:48 adjourned plenary to Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonbvere and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
Courtesy: LightRay!edia and Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.
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