Leaked Document On Nigeria’s Plan To Suspend Import Duties On Staple Food Not Official, Presidency Clarifies
It stated that reports emanating from the two documents have raised questions about the government’s policies on customs tariffs, fuel subsidies, and other economic matters.
The Presidency has released a statement clarifying two leaked fiscal policy documents that are currently being widely circulated by both mainstream media and social media platforms.
This is contained in a statement released on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
There were reports on Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was considering suspending the payment of import duties and other tariffs on food items, drugs and other basic commodities for six months.
However, Onanuga clarified that the document had been mistakenly portrayed as an Executive Order signed by President Tinubu.
However, the Presidency confirms that no such order has been issued.
According to the statement, “One of the documents titled Inflation Reduction and Price Stability (Fiscal Policy Measure etc) Order 2024 is being shared as if it were an executive order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The other is a 65-page draft document with the title “Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP), which contains suggestions on how to improve the Nigerian economy. President Tinubu received a copy of the draft on Tuesday.
“We urge the public and the media to disregard the two documents and cease further discussions on them. None is an approved official document of the Federal Government of Nigeria. They are all policy proposals that are still subject to reviews at the highest level of government. Indeed, one has ‘draft’ clearly written on it.
According to the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, ‘It is important to understand that policymaking is an iterative process involving multiple drafts and discussions before any document is finalised.
“’We assure the public that the official position on the documents will be made available after comprehensive reviews and approvals are completed.’”
It stated that reports emanating from the two documents have raised questions about the government’s policies on customs tariffs, fuel subsidies, and other economic matters.
Credit : Sahara reporter
