FG Clarifies Tariff Hike, Says No Increase in Food, Luxury Items

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The Federal government said friday that the 2016 Fiscal Policy Measures (FPM) did not involve any upward review of tariff on some food items and luxury goods as portrayed in recent media reports.

The Ministry of Finance, which made the clarification via a statement, noted that on the contrary, tariffs for those items remained at their 2015 levels, while duties for some other items were actually reduced.

“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 issued by the Director (Information) in the ministry, Salisu Na’Inna Dambatta said.

According to the ministry, a comparison of the 2015 Fiscal Policy Measures circular dated March 20, 2015 and the 2016 Fiscal Policy Measures dated November 29, 2016 will affirm this position.

With regards to the 20 per cent duty on pharmaceutical products in the 2016 Fiscal Policy Measures, the statement said 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.

“The accompanying documents, which could also be accessed on the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance, contain the details of the 2015 and 2016 Fiscal Policy Measures for the records,” the statement concluded.