Dr Samuel Nzekwe, a former President, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), has urged the Federal Government to grant duty-free import window for pharmaceutical products.
Nzekwe made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ota, while reacting to Federal Government’s recent decision to suspend duties, tariffs and taxes on imported food commodities.
NAN reports that Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security had announced that duties, tariffs and taxes has been suspended on imported maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas.
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Reports showed that the 150 days duty-free import window for the listed commodities is aimed at ameliorating the current food inflation in the country.
Nzekwe said that adding pharmaceutical products to the list would be of positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the citizenry.
“Such measure will help to reduce the cost of medications, we are aware that the cost medicines is going up everyday.
“If not quickly checked, this development may make many Nigerians not to meet up with their medical bills,” he said.
The former ANAN president commended the Federal Government for suspending duties, tariffs and taxes on imported food commodities, describing it as a good omen.
Nzekwe also urged the Federal Government to support farmers with loans and other inputs to enable them to invest in massive food production.
“The Federal government should also work tirelessly to tackle insecurity in some parts of the country. This will encourage farming and food production.
“Insecurity is part of the reasons for the rise in the cost of food. Many farmers are unable to cultivate because of insecurity,” he said.
