Editor
Senator Seriake Dickson representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District has reaffirmed his commitment to the passage of the Tax Reform Bill, despite facing strong opposition from critics.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at a public hearing on the establishment of a proposed federal university in Okigwe, Imo State, the senator emphasized the importance of the bill in rectifying long-standing inequities in Nigeria’s tax system.
Senator Dickson compared the Tax Reform Bill to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which was eventually passed with a controversial 3% allocation to host communities rather than the initially proposed 10%.
He assured Nigerians that the legislative process for the tax bill would proceed without succumbing to opposition pressure.
At the core of the bill, according to Senator Dickson, is the principle that taxes should remain in the states where they are generated.
“It’s unacceptable that taxes from Bayelsa are sent to Lagos simply because of company headquarters. If you make calls, buy cement, or consume any service in Bayelsa, the tax should stay in Bayelsa—not Lagos,” he argued.
Drawing from his tenure as the governor of Bayelsa, Dickson highlighted his longstanding fight against this inequity, recalling his efforts to challenge the Value Added Tax (VAT) distribution formula in the Supreme Court.
He encouraged states concerned about potential losses to participate actively in the upcoming public hearings.
“Public hearings are for facts, not emotions. Let everyone come forward with their data; there will be no intimidation,” he assured.
Addressing concerns about opposition from certain regions, Senator Dickson maintained that his stance was driven by national interest rather than regional politics.
“I don’t play regional games. I’m a national politician, and I do what’s best for Nigeria,” he stated.
He also pointed to his consistent track record of standing on principle, citing his opposition to the Naira redesign policy and his advocacy for fair revenue allocation in the PIB.
