The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed apprehension over the reported plans by the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) to re-introduce the 4 per cent Free-on-Board levy, cautioning against the development which will impact the manufacturing sector, the business community and Nigerians negatively.
The association viewed this new development as unfortunate and retrogressive, claiming that the extensive stakeholder engagement promised has not been inclusive and has not taken into consideration the affected stakeholders, which to a large extent, are manufacturers.
Director General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said that MAN opined the overwhelming opinion of a stakeholder engagement would have dissuaded the Service from implementing the levy and proffered a more progressive and sustainable option for increased revenue for the NCS and government.
If implemented, Ajayi-Kadir believes the levy will be an additional burden to the 1 per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) fee being paid by its members at a time that all government agencies should be seeking ways to de-escalate cost of doing business in Nigeria, as it is being done in other climes and economies.
