The National Assembly (NASS) has moved to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in the recently gazetted Tax Acts, pledging to release certified copies of the bills signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Information, Mr Bullah Bi-Allah, said the Assembly had directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to make the transmitted tax bills, including their certificate pages, available for public verification.
According to him, the Assembly’s management has taken note of claims alleging inconsistencies between the votes and proceedings of the National Assembly and the gazetted versions of the passed Tax Acts.
ALSO READ Alleged gazette discrepancies: Atiku calls for fresh legislative review of Tinubu tax laws
Bi-Allah explained that the decision to release the documents followed growing public calls for transparency, noting that access to the certified copies would allow Nigerians to review and verify the legislative records independently.
He added that despite widespread public interest in the matter, only a limited number of formal requests had been made for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised bills, stressing that all such requests had been duly processed.
The Director of Information further disclosed that the Clerk of the National Assembly is working with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in line with statutory requirements. He said the gazettes were expected to be ready on Thursday.
While clarifying institutional responsibilities, Bi-Allah noted that although it is the duty of the Clerk to initiate the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication rests with the Federal Government Printing Press.
To strengthen internal processes, he said the National Assembly would review its procedures for the transmission and gazetting of bills. Under the new arrangement, all bills forwarded for presidential assent will be routed through presidential liaison officers.
He added that no request for the gazetting of an Act of the National Assembly would be entertained by the Government Printing Press unless it is formally initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or an authorised representative.
“The National Assembly appreciates Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in strengthening transparency, accountability and professionalism in the legislative process,” the statement said.
