FG

The Federal Government has suspended import duty and other tariffs on staple food items, raw materials, and inputs for manufacturing, agriculture, and pharmaceutical products for six months.

This move is aimed at reducing inflation and stabilizing prices.

According to an Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the suspension affects essential items like fertilizers, seedlings, chemicals, poultry feeds, flour, and grains. The order also grants a rebate on import duty by fixing the exchange rate at N800 to $1 for six months.

To enhance productivity, the government has directed the Nigeria Customs Service to fast-track the clearing of agricultural equipment, food items, and manufacturing inputs at ports, aiming to reduce clearance time by at least 50%.

The order encourages states and local government councils to adopt similar measures to boost productivity. It also mandates government agencies to refrain from actions that may negatively impact businesses or sectors.

This move is expected to improve local supply and capacity utilization in various industries, including rice milling. Authorized millers can now import paddy rice at zero duty and VAT for six months.

The order added that the government shall prioritize the implementation of approved capital expenditures on basic infrastructure, including access roads to farms, solar-powered food storage facilities, and public sanitation. It added that at least 50% of the incremental revenue from PMS subsidy removal and Naira flotation will be earmarked for this purpose.

The Federal Government has warned workers planning to embark the indefinite strike declared by labour unions that they risk six months jail term.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), gave the warning in a statement on Sunday.

Fagbemi said Section 18 of the Trade Disputes Act requires a worker employed in any essential services to give their employer 15 days notice before ceasing their services and any who did not comply would be liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment for six months.

He said the fundamental importance of the 15-day notice is underscored by the fact that Sections 41 and 42(1)(b) of the Act criminalize non-compliance with the provision.

He noted that the federal government had been engaging stakeholders in the tripartite committee to determine a new national minimum wage and had not declared an end to negotiation.

The AGF further noted that the proposed strike is a breach of an order of the National Industrial Court and ongoing mediators’ settlement efforts over issues connected with the subject matter of the order.

“You are further invited to recall the pendency of the interim injunctive order granted on 5th June 2023 in suit no: NICN/ABJ/158/2023 — FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR VV. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR, which order restrained both Nigeria Labour Congress und Trade Union Congress from embarking on any industrial action or strike of any nature,” he said.

“While the government assures that it would continue to adopt a conciliatory approach to resolving matters pertaining to workers and citizens welfare in the spirit of collective bargaining, I would like to urge you to kindly reconsider the declaration of strike action and return to the ongoing negotiation meetings, which has been adjourned to a date to be communicated to parties.

“This would be a more civil and patriotic approach and will enable your Congress pursue its cause within the ambit of the law and avoid foisting avoidable hardships on the generality of Nigerians. which this proposed industrial action is bound to cause.”