FG to lose N187bn in food import duty suspension - Customs – Newstrends
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FG to lose N187bn in food import duty suspension – Customs

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5 months ago

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Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

FG to lose N187bn in food import duty suspension – Customs

The Federal Government will forfeit about N187 billion due to the recent directive to suspend import duties on staple food items for six months.

Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, discloses this on Tuesday.

He spoke during the 2nd Economic Confidential lecture and book presentation in his honour, titled “Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management”, held in Abuja.

Adeniyi said the suspension of customs duties and levies on key food staples, including beans, maize, rice, and wheat, is part of the government’s strategy to reduce the cost of food items.

However, this policy will result in significant revenue losses for the government.

He noted that between 2020 and 2023, these food imports generated around N3.81 trillion in revenue, including N189 billion in customs duties and over N500 billion from various government levies.

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“Wheat alone generated N3 trillion, maize N340 billion, rice N195 billion, and beans N146 billion. Therefore, the estimated revenue forfeiture from the suspension of import duties on these staple food items for six months is about N187 billion,” Adeniyi stated.

He added that the Customs awaited guidelines from the Ministry of Finance and would ensure proper implementation by designing special corridors for clearing food imports.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, expressed optimism that the government’s food reforms would soon positively impact the economy.

Adeniyi also handed over his vice chairmanship of the World Customs Organisation, North and Central African region, to his Malian counterpart, Ahmadou Kounate, during an official ceremony in Abuja.

The Customs boss emphasized the need for technology to advance customs practices, while Kounate pledged to enhance transparency, implement strategic action plans, and improve manpower development to boost trade facilitation.

FG to lose N187bn in food import duty suspension – Customs

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Naira exchanges N1,650/$ in parallel market

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2 hours ago

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January 1, 2025

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Naira exchanges N1,650/$ in parallel market

Yesterday, the Naira appreciated N1,650 per dollar in the parallel market, compared to N1,655 on Monday.

Similarly, the Naira appreciated to N1,535 per dollar in the official foreign exchange market.

Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, showed that the exchange rate for the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) fell to N1,535 per dollar from N1,537 per dollar on Monday, indicating N2 appreciation for the naira.

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Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NFEM rate narrowed to N115 per dollar from N118 per dollar on Monday.

 

Naira exchanges N1,650/$ in parallel market

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Exchange rate ends 2024 at N1,535/$1, marking a 40.9% depreciation

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15 hours ago

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December 31, 2024

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Exchange rate ends 2024 at N1,535/$1, marking a 40.9% depreciation

The exchange rate between the naira and the dollar ended the year at N1,535/$1 representing a 40.9% depreciation for 2024.

The official exchange rate between the naira and dollar closed in 2023 at N907.11/$1 thus depreciating by 40.9% for the year which compares to a 49.1% devaluation at the end of 2023.

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Nigeria introduced several foreign exchange policies in 2024 as the central bank expanded on market-friendly forex policies to attract foreign investors.

Meanwhile, on the parallel market where the exchange rate is sold unofficially, the naira exchanged for N1,660 to the dollar when compared to N1,215/$ according to Nairametrics tracking records. This represents a 26.8% depreciation.

 

Exchange rate ends 2024 at N1,535/$1, marking a 40.9% depreciation

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Warri refinery: Marketers hopeful of further petrol price drop

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1 day ago

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December 31, 2024

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Warri refinery

Warri refinery: Marketers hopeful of further petrol price drop

There was excitement on Monday as the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) commenced partial production.

This is coming after nearly a decade of dormancy as the 125,000 barrels per day refinery was confirmed to be working at 60 per cent capacity, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The refinery, inactive since 2015 due to prolonged repairs, reportedly began refining activities last Saturday at its Area 1 plant, where crude oil was successfully pumped into the system.

This was coming about a month after the commencement of operations at the 60,000-barrel-per-day-old Port Harcourt Refinery.

The NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, announced the resumption of operation at the Warri Refinery during a tour of the facility on Monday.

Kyari was seen in a video posted by Channels TV addressing a tour team, which included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed.

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Earlier, Kyari explained that the inspection aimed to show Nigerians the level of work completed so far.

He said though the repairs on the facility were not 100 per cent complete, operations had commenced.

He said, “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 per cent complete, we are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”

With the addition of Warri Refinery, Nigeria’s refining capacity has further increased with marketers anticipating a further reduction in price of premium motor spirit (PMS).

The 650,000-barrel Dangote Refinery has commenced production in addition to the Port Harcourt Refinery with a total capacity of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd) comprising 60,000 bpd for the old plant and 150,000 bpd for the new plant.

It’s good for business, prices may reduce – Marketers

Major Energy Marketers’ Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) and the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) welcomed the revival of the Warri refinery, saying it would deepen competition, diversify supply and ultimately resort to price reduction.

Executive Secretary of MEMAN, Clem Isong in a chat with our correspondent stated that the Warri Refinery is the shortest route to the North, describing its revival as good news.

“The market becomes more competitive and we are diversifying supply,” he said.

On whether it would lead to price reduction, he stated, “There are many factors that affect price, competition is always good and you can always get your product at the best price.”

National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, Alhaji Olanrewaju Okanlawon in a chat with our correspondent said, “If there is excess supply, it will keep bringing down the price. We now run a free market and it is about demand and supply. It will continue bringing down the price. It will decongest Lagos.”

Energy expert, Dr. Ayodele Oni said the resumption of Warri Refinery would boost the local refining capacity in addition to enabling the country to sell to other neighbouring countries.

“We can refine more and even have some to sell. We now stop being hewers of wood and drawers of water. We add value to what we produce and can make/ do more with our base resources. This is very pleasant news,” he said.

Warri refinery: Marketers hopeful of further petrol price drop

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