The Presidency has described as untrue reports doing the rounds, that it was planning to yank off import duties on food and drugs. The response came on the heels of two fiscal policy documents being wildly quoted to have been from the presidency, that it was making a provision for N5.4trn petrol subsidy for 2024, and that it would also stop importers from paying duties on food and drugs, to cushion the effect of current economic hardship on the masses.
However, a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, explained that although one of the documents titled, Inflation Reduction and Price Stability (Fiscal Policy Measure etc) Order 2024, was being shared as if it were an executive order signed by President Bola Tinubu, it was still at the proposal stage.
He added that the other document, a 65-page draft document with the title “Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP), containing suggestions on how to improve the Nigerian economy, is also still in the draft stage, and was just received by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday. “We urge the public and the media to disregard the two documents and cease further discussions on them. None is an approved official document of the Federal Government of Nigeria. They are all policy proposals that are still subject to review at the highest level of government. Indeed, one has ‘draft’ clearly written on it” the statement added.
The Presidency quoted Edun when he said “It is important to understand that policymaking is an iterative process involving multiple drafts and discussions before any document is finalised,” assuring the public that the official position on the documents, will be made available after comprehensive reviews and approvals are completed.
