The National Assembly has moved to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in recently gazetted Tax Acts, announcing plans to release certified copies of the bills signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Information of the National Assembly, Mr. Bullah Bi-Allah, said the Assembly had directed the Clerk to release the transmitted tax bills, including the certificate pages, to enable members of the public verify their authenticity.
Bi-Allah said the Assembly had taken note of claims regarding differences between the votes and proceedings of the National Assembly and the gazetted versions of the passed tax legislation. He explained that the decision to make the documents available followed public calls for transparency and would allow independent review of the bills.
He noted, however, that despite the high level of public interest, only a limited number of individuals had formally requested Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised bills, adding that all such requests had been processed.
According to him, the Clerk of the National Assembly is also working with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in line with statutory requirements, with the gazettes expected to be ready on Thursday.
Bi-Allah clarified that while it is the responsibility of the Clerk to initiate the gazetting process, the statutory duty of printing and publication rests with the Federal Government Printing Press.
He added that the National Assembly would review its procedures for the transmission and gazetting of bills to strengthen institutional processes.
“Henceforth, all bills for presidential assent will be routed through presidential liaison officers,” he said. “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 an authorised representative.”
The National Assembly also thanked Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement, saying such oversight contributes to transparency, accountability and professionalism in the legislative process.
