Tinubu Reaffirms Suspension of Import Duty On Foods In Nationwide Broadcast

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Sunday confirmed the removal of tariffs and related taxes on foods, pharmaceutical products and agricultural inputs to ameliorate the present hardship faced by the ordinary Nigerian masses, adding that his government will not be shy away from undertaking steps that will lead to the full recovery of the economy and the return to the basic standard of living.

The president who disclosed above in his address to the nation following the nationwide hardship protest, said his government is committed to prioritizing the place of agriculture and food security for citizens.

“We are providing incentives to farmers to increase food production at affordable prices. I have directed that tariffs and other import duties should be removed on rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, drugs, and other pharmaceutical and medical supplies for the next 6 months, in the first instance, to help drive down the prices”, he said in his nationwide address.

Recall that in the buildup to the protest, the General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who announced the presidential directive, esaid that the government has always been concerned and remain committed to addressing the situation in a seamless manner with a view to reducing hunger in the land.

He explained that the prevailing inflationary trend has been a global reality including Nigeria, adding that the NCS has also streamlined export processes to facilitate the efficient movement of local goods to international markets.

He said this initiative includes the introduction of customs guided trade tools like advanced ruling systems, authorized economic operators, and a time-release study designed to enhance trade, stimulate the economy, and create new opportunities.

The Customs boss further explained that these reforms will provide farmers, artisans, traders and entrepreneurs with a quick link to global markets, making it possible to engage in global trade in the real sense.

Speaking on the suspension of import duties on essential items the CGC said, “We are committed to implementing this measure seamlessly to address the problem of hunger in our nation.”

President Tinubu lamented that whereas his government inherited a dilapidated economy, he assured that concrete steps have been taken and will continue to be taken to reevaluate, redesign, fix and refocus the national growth where every citizen will see and feel the impact.

The president who sounded very concerned and full of empathy assured Nigerian children and youths of a better tomorrow and urged them to be patient, while the government he promised will continue to put in place short term measures and interventions that will lessen the negative impacts of the current economic recession, especially in the area of hunger and health.

“I speak to you today with a heavy heart and a sense of responsibility, aware of the turmoil and violent protests unleashed in some of our states.

“Notably among the protesters were young Nigerians who desired a better and more progressive country where their dreams, hopes, and personal aspirations would be fulfilled.

“My vision for our country is one of a just and prosperous nation where each person may enjoy the peace, freedom, and meaningful livelihood that only democratic good governance can provide – one that is open, transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people.

“For decades, our economy has remained anaemic and taken a dip because of many misalignments that have stunted our growth. Just over a year ago, our dear country, Nigeria, reached a point where we couldn’t afford to continue the use of temporary solutions to solve long-term problems for the sake of now and our unborn generations. I therefore took the painful yet necessary decision to remove fuel subsidies and abolish multiple foreign exchange systems which had constituted a noose around the economic jugular of our Nation and impeded our economic development and progress.”

He continued: “My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens.

“But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart. We must work together to build a brighter future, where every Nigerian can live with dignity and prosperity.

“The task before us is a collective one, and I am leading the charge as your President. A lot of work has gone into stabilising our economy and I must stay focused on ensuring that the benefits reach every single Nigerian as promised.”

President Tinubu said the removal of oil subsidy has saved the nation from being further hostage by unscrupulous elements driving their narrow and selfish enterprise.

“These actions blocked the greed and the profits that smugglers and rent-seekers made. They also blocked the undue subsidies we had extended to our neighbouring countries to the detriment of our people, rendering our economy prostrate. These decisions I made were necessary if we must reverse the decades of economic mismanagement that didn’t serve us well. Yes, I agree, the buck stops on my table. But I can assure you that I am focused fully on delivering the governance to the people – good governance for that matter.

“In the past 14 months, our government has made significant strides in rebuilding the foundation of our economy to carry us into a future of plenty and abundance. On the fiscal side, aggregate government revenues have more than doubled, hitting over 9.1 trillion Naira in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023 due to our efforts at blocking leakages, introducing automation and mobilising funding creatively without additional burden on the people.

“Productivity is gradually increasing in the non-oil sector, reaching new levels and taking advantage of the opportunities in the current economic ambience”, he said.

Recognising that protest is an integral element of democracy, the president said while not aversed to peaceful protests, the youths should understand that destruction of any sort during protests does not solve problems but even complicates prevailing challenges; and appealed to them for calm and discontinuation of the protest so that government can begin to clean up the mess and focus on providing quality governance.

“Under the circumstances, I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue, which I have always acceded to at the slightest opportunity. Nigeria requires all hands on deck and needs us all – regardless of age, party, tribe, religion or other divides, to work together in reshaping our destiny as a nation.”

This is even as he reprimanded promoters of hate by section of the Yoruba socio-cultural and economic-political organs and individuals to rein their narrow mindsets.

“To those who have taken undue advantage of this situation to threaten any section of this country, be warned: The law will catch up with you. There is no place for ethnic bigotry or such threats in the Nigeria we seek to build.”

The president reiterated the resolve of his government to meet the national aspiration; while stating that he is in power to impact the citizens and the system, positively for the benefit of the nation.

“My administration is working very hard to improve and expand our national infrastructure and create more opportunities for our young people.

“Let nobody misinform and miseducate you about your country or tell you that your government does not care about you. Although there have been many dashed hopes in the past, we are in a new era of Renewed Hope. We are working hard for you, and the results will soon be visible and concrete for everyone to see, feel, and enjoy.

”Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation. The economy is recovering; Please, don’t shut out its oxygen. Now that we have been enjoying democratic governance for 25 years, do not let the enemies of democracy use you to promote an unconstitutional agenda that will set us back on our democratic journey. FORWARD EVER, BACKWARD NEVER!”

Meanwhile, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has appealed to the presidency to provide a comprehensive list the of the affected food items penciled down to enjoy tariffs removal to remove all doubts and confer integrity and a sense of believability on the directive.

ANLCA explained that the request became necessary following the air of confusion that has pervaded the presidential directive, especially based on findings that the implementing authority, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), have reportedly said it is not aware of the development, since it is yet to receive a memo to that effect.

Speaking on the development, ANLCA Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan said that whereas the association is not in support of the plan hunger protest in Nigeria, he said the decision of the presidency to douse the anger of the populace by granting tax holiday on duties payable on imported foods should be properly documented for ease of enforcement and implementation.

“ANLCA is not in support of any violent protest that would bring anarchy into the country. For those who want to go on their protest, they should let it be peaceful, we as ANLCA are not part of any protest. However, from our professional side, we want to let the government know that things are not going well and we want to present a 3-point agenda to President Bola Tinubu.

” Although we are hearing in the media that government has signed removal of duty on food items, we want government to come out in clear terms, because currently, if you go to the customs, they would tell you that there is no circular to that effect, there is no documented directive from the Federal Government for them to implement.

“Government pronouncements are not implementable without a hardcopy circular to the implementing agencies.The Federal Ministry of Finance should do the needful by directing customs to implement the waiver of import duties on food items and we want it in hardcopy”, the ANLCA second-in-command said.