Two months after, Customs yet to implement waiver on rice, others

Barely two months after the Federal Government directed that the authorities of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) to give a 150-day duty-free window to allow…

Barely two months after the Federal Government directed that the authorities of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) to give a 150-day duty-free window to allow the importation of maize, husked brown rice and wheat, the policy implementation is yet to commence, Daily Trust reports.

In July, the Presidential Accelerated and Stabilisation Advancement Plan, had recommended the initiative as part of measures to combat rising food inflation across the country.

During the nationwide protest in early August, the Federal Government had announced that the guidelines for the suspension of customs duty and taxes on imported food items were to commence one week after.

However, checks by our correspondent showed that imported foods which were listed during the announcement are yet to be in the market.

Speaking on why the directive was yet to be implemented, the spokesman of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, stated that the list of those who will benefit from tax exemptions was yet to come from the Ministry of Finance.

Maiwada spoke at NCS’ headquarters in Abuja on Thursday during a joint press briefing of security agencies, organised by the Strategic Communications Inter-agency Policy Committee Office of the National Security Adviser.

He said, “The issue of food security. You made mention of the policy that was announced by Mr. President and we have issued a statement on the guidelines on how to benefit from that policy. Well, I would like to discuss in such a way that the common man would understand how these things work.

“People think that me and you can just go and import rice. No, that is not what the policy is all about. We have policy issues that have a long-term effect. We have the medium-term and we have the short-term effects.

“So, while formulating policies that are related that have a short-term effect, we have to do it in such a way that it will not have adverse effects on long-term policy issues. Our responsibilities as an agency of government, Nigeria Customs Service, is to implement government policies.

“That’s why the statement we issued is based on the guideline issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance. They have issued a guideline on how to achieve, what are the conditions, and what are the requirements for you to benefit from that zero import duty.

“We have three lines, six lines of tariff line with the HS code, harmonized system code, with initially a duty of 35% duty and leave you some of the items and they have all been waived.

“However, the policy stated clearly that you must be a miller, you must be a taxpayer, you must have been into operations for a certain number of years and there will be a quota that will be issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

“So, the list of those who benefit from those exemptions will come from the Ministry of Finance and our role as an agency of government is to implement the directives of the government. So we are policy implementers, not formulators.

“So, by the time we get those lists, within the twinkle of an eye, we are going to implement those directives from the Federal Ministry of Finance.”

https://dailytrust.com/two-months-after-customs-yet-to-implement-waiver-on-rice-others/

I can see that the Data boys have received enough funds to suppress the hunger agitation in the land. You see, this hunger knows no ethnicity or religion oh.

The problem between Igbo and Yoruba na see-finish...both tribes behaves themselves once they are abroad.

Never underestimate El-Rufai.....do that at your own peril

El- Rufai is a mobliser...2027 is going to be interesting.

The other day... it was Hamza Al Mustapha

NNPP leader Engr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso paid a visit to the former governor of Kaduna State Malam Nasir El-Rufai, at his residence in Abuja today.

"Pleased to pay a cordial visit to my former colleague, H.E Nasir El-Rufai, at his residence in Abuja today". - RMK

That was how these heartless souls destroyed my acres of plantain at Oyo West LGA

What has Tinubu government done for the masses since assuming office a year ago? He has removed all the subsides, added new levies and tax...what have they done with the money gotten from all these?

By the time APC is done with us eh....we warned them oh

The presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms says there is a need to increase the value-added tax (VAT) rate.

Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the committee, spoke on Monday while disclosing the VAT revenue-sharing formula would be reviewed.

He spoke at a policy exposure and impact assessment session organised by the committee.

Nigeria’s VAT rate is currently 7.5 percent.

Oyedele also said the committee has proposed reviewing state and local governments’ share of VAT revenue to 90 percent.

According to section 40 of the VAT Act, the federal government gets 15 percent of the tax revenue, states share 50 percent, and local governments share the balance of 35 percent.

However, Oyedele said the committee is recommending reducing the federal government’s share from 15 percent to 10 percent.

“We are proposing that the federal government’s portion should be reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent. States’ portion will be increased but they would share 90 percent with local governments,” he said.

Oyedele said the committee proposed adjusting the sharing formula for VAT because it is a tax of the states.

“In 1986, we had sales tax collected by states. The military came up with VAT in 1993 and stopped sales tax so they said it would collect VAT and return 15 per cent as cost of collection and that is the 15 per cent charged today came about. But we think it is too much,” he said.

The tax expert added that the burden of VAT should be on the ultimate consumer.

“So we must make it transparent and neutral and this is what over 100 countries where they have VAT are doing,” Oyedele said.

“Nigeria’s economy is more than 50 percent in services and if I just stop at this, many states will be broke because VAT collection will go down by more than 50 percent and it won’t even fly.

“So we therefore need to adjust the VAT rate upward. We would ensure that it doesn’t affect businesses. The only thing is to look at basic consumption from food, education, medical services and accommodation will carry zero percent VAT. So for the poor and small businesses, no VAT.”

Oyedele said other consumers will pay a bit more.

“We have spoken to businesses about it and they won’t increase the product price. We want to make sure when we do VAT reform, no one will increase the price of commodities. We will work the mathematics with the private sector,” he said.

Oyedele also said each state should not be granted exclusive custodianship of their collections– because it would likely result in chaos.


https://www.thecable.ng/we-need-to-increase-vat-rate-says-taiwo-oyedele/amp/

Kekemeke has paid his dues in Ondo Apc...let them give him the ticket

And they forget that the owner of that media outfit is a Yoruba man that gets his facts from the NBS

JagabanB:

Many SE people have d attitude of dropping out along the way, I have that experience when we were studying engineering.
The most dropouts were lgb0s with the excuse that degree don't create wealth so u can't bIame others.
Admission is not graduation.

South Is East still tops medicine...same with Engineering oh

The Northern elements are not happy with Tinubu... The signs are all over.

OgbeniOja1:
Failed project. El rufai and son the careless talker. Threatening to rape peoples mothers

This man made your Jagaban to win the Apc primaries by galvanizing the Northern Apc governors. Underrate him at your own peril.

Soon Ogbeni Aregbesola, Amaechi and Fayemi will join El Rufai

More pictures

Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State holds a meeting with SDP and APC leaders in Abuja, including Senator Folarin,Senator Suleiman and Olajide Adeniji.

2027: El-Rufai meets SDP, APC, PDP, other stakeholders in Abuja

Continuing his ongoing consultations with stakeholders across parties for possible political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Governor of Kaduna State and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, reportedly held another consultative meeting in Abuja over the weekend.

It was gathered that the latest meeting was hosted at Senator Abubakar Gada’s Abuja residence on the platform of the “IFTAR” breaking of the fast.

According to sources, those in attendance included El-Rufai, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Teslim Folarin, former Senate Leader and the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State in the 2023 general elections, Senator Nazif Suleiman, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from Bauchi State, and Hon. Kamel Akinlabi, a former member of the House of Representatives from Oyo State PDP, among others.

It was gathered that the latest meeting came just a few days after Mallam El-Rufai’s visit to the SDP National Secretariat, which has been generating serious concern about the real mission of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja ahead of 2027.

A source at the meeting said that Alhaji Gabam appreciated the host for bringing together high-profile Nigerians who were more concerned about the current situation in the country and assured Nigerians of their collective commitment to ensure the country bounces back to its lost glory.

Gabam called on Nigerians to take advantage of this period and fervently pray for the peaceful coexistence of the country.

Recall that the SDP National Chairman has received a series of calls from Nigerians regarding the visit of Governor El-Rufai to his office. In order to clear the air, Gabam has granted an interview with the media on the visit, where he explained that he and El-Rufai were close friends whose relationship could be traced back decades and that every sensible human being is greatly disturbed by the current situation in the country, which requires the collective responsibility of all stakeholders, irrespective of party, ethnic, or regional inclinations.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/2027-el-rufai-meets-sdp-apc-pdp-other-stakeholders-in-abuja/

The level of corruption in this Tinubu regime so far is really disturbing. Seems it's organized some sort.

sylve11:


This is a very terrible development coming from the East.

I hope they don't cry foul when the NPF unleash mayhem on the people of that area.

May God heal our land. 🙏

Must you mention the entire East you Bigot...why not Imo State where the crime was committed? Seems Dem swear East for una.

kwankwaso, Isa Yuguda, Boni Haruna and now El Rufai. ...all has visited Abdul Ningi. 2027 will be interesting. The north is cooking something

I talk say if Tinubu becomes president that even predestians would be taxed.. edon start already

Abia is now the seat of Power

ItisWell22:


He will actually be the worst hit, coupled with his state of health.

The others found their way to Abuja, with “established” sources of wealth prior to politics.

Ikpeazu, none.
He was a lecturer before politics. 😮‍💨
Na MOUAU girls him invest in, with kota sign. ✌️

Are you guys not tired of telling lies?

Headless mob,Wetin Ikpeazu do you....TA Orji and Orji Uzor Kalu were also former governors and their deputies. Your hatred for Ikpeazu will kee you and your household.


You can never near the positions Ikpeazu has held in your lifetime.

Kingpele:
All this former crooks from orji ozor kanu to ikpeazu will be like am in severe pains.. right now...

Headless mob,Wetin Ikpeazu do you....TA Orji and Orji Uzor Kalu were also former governors and their deputies. Your hatred for Ikpeazu will kee you and your household.


You can never near the positions Ikpeazu has held in your lifetime.

Unclebright20:
This won't settle well for oke ikpeazu and his cronies.

Headless mob,Wetin Ikpeazu do you....TA Orji and Orji Uzor Kalu were also former governors and their deputies. Your hatred for Ikpeazu will kee you and your household.


You can never near the positions Ikpeazu has held in your lifetime.

spencekat:
Dr.Ikpeazu said through his spokesman,Barr.Ememanka that he has not received any form of pension since the end of his tenure as Abia governor.

Don't mind them...Ikpeazu has moved on with his life... the headless mobs will keep mentioning his name everywhere. They should allow that man rest.

insidelife22:
Ikpeazu will be pained

Wetin Ikpeazu do you....TA Orji and Orji Uzor Kalu were also former governors and their deputies. Your hatred for Ikpeazu will kee you and your household.


You can never near the positions Ikpeazu has held in your lifetime.

It's the fuse inside the meter. Call a technician from from your DISCO to come and help you fix it. I had similar experience last year.

Ngwa Land becomes the first place to have 24/7 power supply in Nigeria. We are blessed,our hospitality is second to non...we are developing, yet we don't make noise. Please come and invest in Aba Ngwa and Ngwa Land in general...your security is assured, we are peace loving people.