NASS Moves to Address Alleged Discrepancies in Gazetted Tax Acts

The National Assembly has announced steps to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in the gazetted Tax Acts, assuring Nigerians that certified copies of the bills signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be made available for public verification.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Information, Mr. Bullah Bi-Allah, the Assembly said it had directed the Clerk to release the transmitted tax bills, including the certificate pages, to enable the public verify their authenticity.

According to Bi-Allah, the Assembly’s management had taken note of claims suggesting differences between the votes and proceedings of the National Assembly and the gazetted versions of the passed tax laws.

He explained that the decision to release the documents followed public calls for greater transparency, noting that the move would allow citizens to review and confirm the contents of the bills.

Bi-Allah added that despite heightened public interest, 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 further disclosed that the Clerk of the National Assembly was collaborating with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in line with legal requirements, adding that the gazettes were expected to be ready yesterday.

While noting that the Clerk is responsible for initiating the gazetting process, Bi-Allah clarified that the statutory duty for 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 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,” he said.

The statement concluded by thanking Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in promoting transparency, accountability and professionalism in the legislative process.

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