The Federal Government on Monday announced the suspension of duties, tariffs and taxes for the importation of some food items through land and sea borders.
The foods include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.
Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this while announcing a 150-Day Duty-Free Import Window for food commodities.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Kyari said: “150-Day Duty-Free Import Window for Food Commodities, suspension of duties, tariffs and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities (through land and sea borders). These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas.
“Under this arrangement, imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).
“I am glad to reiterate that the Government’s position exemplifies standards that would not compromise the safety of the various food items for consumption.
“In addition to the importation by private sector, Federal Government will import 250,000MT of wheat and 250,000MT of maize. The imported food commodities in their semi processed state will target supplies to the small-scale processors and millers across the country.”
Census: We’re prepared, waiting for Tinubu’s nod – NPC
Chairman of the National Population Commission, NPC, Isa Kwarra, says the Commission is prepared to conduct the National Population and Housing Census but is awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s approval for a date.
The NPC chairman stated this yesterday at a media conference in Abuja, organized to herald the commemoration of the World Population Day 2024, marked on July 11 every year. This year’s celebration is themed, “Embracing the Power of Inclusive Data Towards a Resilient and Equitable Future for All’.
According to Kwarra, the United Nations recommends that countries conduct census every 10 years.
“I want to believe that we will get it right, we are just waiting on the president to give us the date, and the commission is ever prepared to do it once we have a date declared by the President.
“The resources should be able to recruit extra hands to help us in conducting a very robust census that will provide inclusive data that is not just verifiable, but will be acceptable by all.
“If we start now, we can achieve it; at least the 2020 round of census gives us an opportunity to extend up to April 2025.”
He, however, said that the Commission would prefer to carry out the exercise in November as that was what was planned earlier in the year.
