The Senate is set to introduce diaspora voting for the presidential election.
It also said it would review the obsolete 1939 Stamp Duty Act and also urged the executive to bring bills on taxes rather than individuals.
In a communique issued at the end of a two-day retreat for Senators of the 10th National Assembly, facilitated by the National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Ikot Ekpene, Always Ibom State, the lawmakers said situation where many agencies of government are involved in collecting taxes and new laws continue to make it the responsibility of these agencies to collect taxes should be halted, through a legislative resolution.
“Bills on taxes should be presented as Executive Bills and not as private member Bills.
“There is a need to review the tax waiver policy to ensure it is aligned with the revenue mobilization drive of the government by making the waiver process more transparent and accountable.
“To address exchange rate management issues, challenges of inflation, address poverty, and create jobs, there is a need to consider and approve the Emergency Economic Intervention Bill from the Executive as a proposed legislation from the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.
“Establish clear and transparent guidelines for revenue retention. The government should establish clear and transparent guidelines for the amount of revenue that revenue-generating institutions are allowed to retain. These guidelines should be based on objective criteria, such as the institution’s verified operating costs and investment needs by the relevant authorities and committees of the National Assembly.
“Need to enhance public spending efficiency, by tackling corruption in government spending in order to provide commensurate fiscal exchange to citizens and boost tax morale.
“Need for effective management of resources by adopting technology in expenditure management, driving adherence to fiscal rules and benchmarks, establishing a national fiscal risk framework for revenue, debt and expenditure.
“Nigerian Government should consolidate revenue collection into a single agency like the FIRS. This would simplify the tax system, reduce duplication of efforts and make it easier for taxpayers to comply with the law,” the communique said.
The Senate said it will also work with the Executive to review the National Development Plan to integrate the 8-point Agenda of the President and consider legislating aspects of the Agenda for holistic implementation.
“There is a need to consider relevant constitutional amendments to pave the way for a 5-year development plan to cater for projects and ensure continuity while limiting abandoned projects.
“Enforce consequences for violations of any provisions of the law regarding monetary and fiscal matters. This will require amendments to the relevant laws to ensure effective oversight and enforcement of the consequences, as the case may be.
“Need for legislation that clearly defines the taxing rights of the three levels of government. Need for legislative intervention to promote the optimization of revenue from non-oil sources, especially in the solid mineral sector.
“Enactment of an Emergency Economic Intervention Bill. This will address critical socio-economic issues concerning foreign exchange management, tackling inflation, stimulating economic growth, and creating more jobs.
“There is a need for the National Assembly to invite the critical stakeholders in the mining industry to understand the kind of legislation required to make the sector thrive.
“INEC should be unbundled to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in the preparation and conduct of elections.
“Relating to the use of technology in elections, remove the ambiguity evident in Section 64 of the EA22. Also, make electronic transmission of results mandatory from the next general elections in 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.
“Introduce diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens to vote, especially those on essential service abroad, such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel abroad, Embassy staff, and other citizens.
“Relating to political parties; stipulate sanctions for failure to submit the register of party members not later than 30 days before the date of party primaries, congresses, or conventions in relation to Section 77(3) EA22, which the political parties have observed in the breach in the 2023 elections without penalty.
“Develop and enact a comprehensive national security strategy that outlines the nation’s security objectives, threats, and policy priorities. Such a strategy can serve as a guiding framework for legislative action in the security sector.
“Address the root causes of terrorism/banditry, which is often driven by poverty, inequality, and a lack of opportunity.
“Promote community policing and engagement to identify and prevent terrorist attacks. The government should also work with civil society organizations and local/ traditional communities to identify and address security concerns.
“Establish independent oversight mechanisms for the security sector. These mechanisms can help to investigate allegations of abuse and corruption and to ensure that security forces are accountable to the law.
“Legislative engagement and oversight in Nigeria’s security sector can be significantly bolstered through comprehensive legislative reforms. These reforms are essential for ensuring that the legislative branch is equipped with the necessary tools and mechanisms to fulfill its critical role in security sector reform.
“The periodic engagement of the National Assembly with the security chiefs for adequate briefing. There is a need for the Senate President and the Speaker, House of Representatives to be part of the weekly security briefing that goes to the President.
“The Senate should develop its Legislative Agenda that incorporates the outcome of this retreat. Review the Stamp Duty Act of 1939 and other obsolete and anachronistic laws in conformity with present realities,” the communique added.
