The National Assembly has moved to calm growing public concerns over alleged discrepancies in the recently passed Tax Acts, pledging full transparency through the release of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the bills signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Information at the National Assembly, Bullah Bi-Allah, disclosed that the Clerk to the National Assembly has been directed to make available the signed tax bills, including their certificate pages, to allow for public verification.
The move follows widespread reactions and reports alleging differences between the versions of the Tax Acts recorded in the legislature’s votes and proceedings and those subsequently published in official gazettes.
According to Bi-Allah, the management of the National Assembly has taken note of the allegations and acted to address concerns around transparency and due process.
He noted that although the issue has generated significant public interest, only a limited number of formal requests for Certified True Copies of the harmonised bills have so far been received, adding that all such requests have already been processed.
Bi-Allah further explained that the Clerk of the National Assembly is currently working with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure that the duly certified and assented Acts are printed and published in accordance with legal requirements.
“While it is the duty of the Clerk to initiate the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication lies with the Federal Government Printing Press,” he said, adding that the gazettes were expected to be ready on Thursday.
To prevent similar controversies in the future, the National Assembly has resolved to strengthen its internal procedures governing the transmission and publication of bills. Going forward, Bi-Allah said all bills meant for presidential assent will be routed strictly through presidential liaison officers.
He also clarified that no request for the gazetting of any Act of the National Assembly will be honoured by the Federal Government Printing Press unless such a request is formally initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or an authorised representative.
The National Assembly commended Nigerians for their vigilance and active engagement in legislative affairs, reiterating its commitment to transparency, accountability and professionalism in the law-making process.
