BEVERLY HILLS, January 08, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has dismissed allegations that suggested that the government had raised import duty on anti-malaria drugs, despite the country’s poor malaria records saying no tariff hike was placed on anti-malaria and anti-bacteria drugs.
In a statement by Salisu Dambatta, Director of Information at the Ministry of Finance, the government said it indeed reduced tariff on some goods, dismissing speculations on tariff hike.
He also revealed that drugs, and other pharmaceutical products that are prohibited from being imported into Nigeria can be imported with special permission to which includes payment of 20 percent import duty.
“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Finance has been drawn to recent publications in the media, regarding the 2016 Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM), to the effect that the Federal Government has raised import duties on food items and luxury goods,” the statement read.
“The Federal Ministry of Finance wishes to categorically state that the correct position is that, the 2016 FPM did not involve any upward review of tariff on the affected food items and luxury goods.
“On the contrary, tariffs for those items remained at their 2015 levels, while duties for some other items were actually reduced.
“A comparison of the 2015 Fiscal Policy Measures Circular dated 20th March, 2015 and the 2016 Fiscal Policy Measures dated 29th November, 2016 will affirm this position.
“With regards to the 20 per cent duty on pharmaceutical products in the 2016 Fiscal Policy Measures, it should be noted that pharmaceutical products were already in the import prohibition list.
“This is in support of Government’s intention give further encouragement and desirable protection to local manufacturers of Pharmaceutical products and ensure that those who, despite the prohibition, import such products under special permission, pay the required duties.
“This clarification is aimed at providing the Nigerian media and other stakeholders with the correct information on such sensitive matters and to urge all interested parties to cross-check information with relevant authorities for accuracy.
“This is especially necessary at these challenging times when the Federal Government is putting extra efforts to encourage our local industries and manufacturers.”
About the Author
