The Federal Government has initiated plans to introduce O.5 per cent levy on imported goods to raise funds to meet its obligations to the African Development Bank, the World Bank and other multilateral organisations.

This is contained in a document titled ‘Invitation to a One Day Public Hearing and Submission of Memoranda on the 2022 Finance Bill,’ released by the House of Representatives Committee on Finance.

The new levy was introduced into the 2022 Finance Bill under Sector 13 for Customs, Excise, Tariff, etc. (Consolidation) Act.

The document read in part, “In addition to extant customs duties and other approved charges, a levy of 0.5 per cent is hereby imposed on all eligible goods imported into Nigeria from outside Africa to finance capital contributions, subscriptions and other financial obligations to the African Union, African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations and other multilateral institutions as may be designated by regulation issued by the minister responsible for finance.”

The government explained in the document that the amendment was essential to ensure certainty and sustainability of funding of the African Union and other key multilateral development institutions, “to bring into effect the Decision of the Outcome of the Retreat of the Assembly of the African Union (Assembly/AU/Dec.605; XXVII), and Federal Executive Council decision”.

This move is part of the government’s efforts to checkmate the country’s rising debt profile.

An Abuja-based economist, Chris Uwadoka, who spoke with our correspondent over the phone on the new levy, said it is a fiscal measure within the government’s capacity.

He said that since the government does not want to fail with its debt obligations, it has to devise measures to ensure it meets these obligations.

While presenting the 2023 appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly recently, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), noted that despite the revenue challenges in the country, the country still consistently met its debt service obligation.

“Despite our revenue challenges, we have consistently met our debt service commitments. Staff salaries and statutory transfers have also been paid as and when due,” Buhari added.

https://punchng.com/fg-plans-import-levy-to-finance-afdb-wbank-obligations/

Import, task, levy etc the politicians are just cashing out at the expense of the masses.

Instead apc should be apologising to nigerians, they are rather campaigning. Unfortunately, Tinubu may end up winning with labour party, pdp and nnpp all dragging votes from one another.

Won't the road users benefit from the new contructed Niger bridge. ..?


Why are they complaining buhari has done his best for them..

This people have completely run out of ideas,. Titanic might sink earlier than predicted, no wonder some people are using logic defying techniques to bail out of Nigeria and declare Biafra

You already have a 2004 Toyota corolla which used to be N1.2m for tokunbo as at 2014 now clocking N3.7m yet want to increase custom duty again, would import duty increase not have diverse effect on the economy through inflation which is at the brink already with over 60m unemployed and underemployed youths, 10m out of school children, 65% in abject poverty?....

You see, the funny thing is we took loans to build rails for human transportation while still being subsidized, but left out the East west/North rail-line that would greatly reduce inflation through logistics..