The Cross River State House of Assembly has postponed a public hearing on the proposed Tax Harmonisation Bill to allow broader consultations with government agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders.
Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Cyril Omini, announced the decision in Calabar, saying the Assembly would not proceed with a bill that lacked adequate input from key revenue-generating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Omini said the bill’s sponsor had been directed to return within one week with all relevant stakeholders for a more inclusive engagement. He stressed that the Assembly was committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and public participation in tax-related legislation.
He described the proposed law as a major revenue bill with significant implications for the state’s economy and said lawmakers would continue to monitor government revenue and spending to protect taxpayers’ interests.
The President of the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Kelly Ayamba, welcomed the postponement, describing it as a sign of the Assembly’s commitment to due process.
Ayamba said businesses in the state still face the challenge of multiple taxation, with different government agencies and revenue consultants often demanding similar payments from the same taxpayers.
According to him, the proposed bill would centralise tax collection through the Cross River Internal Revenue Service, reducing multiple tax demands and improving efficiency.
The Tax Harmonisation Bill aims to simplify tax collection, strengthen accountability through technology, eliminate illegal revenue collection, and create a more business-friendly environment in Cross River State.
