Ex-ANAN president urges duty-free import on pharmaceutical products

Dr. Samuel Nzekwe, a former president of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), has urged the Federal Government to grant a duty-free import window for pharmaceutical products.

Nzekwe made the appeal in an interview with the newsmen on Thursday in Ota, while reacting to the Federal Government’s recent decision to suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on imported food commodities.

Supreme News reports that Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has announced that duties, tariffs, and taxes have been suspended on imported maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.

Reports showed that the 150 days duty-free import window for the listed commodities is aimed at ameliorating the current food inflation in the country.

Nzekwe said that adding pharmaceutical products to the list would be of positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the citizenry.

“Such measure will help to reduce the cost of medications, we are aware that the cost medicines is going up everyday.

“If not quickly checked, this development may make many Nigerians not to meet up with their medical bills,” he said.

The former ANAN president commended the Federal Government for suspending duties, tariffs and taxes on imported food commodities, describing it as a good omen.

Nzekwe also urged the Federal Government to support farmers with loans and other inputs to enable them to invest in massive food production.

“The federal government should also work tirelessly to tackle insecurity in some parts of the country. This will encourage farming and food production.

“Insecurity is one of the reasons for the rise in the cost of food. Many farmers are unable to cultivate because of insecurity,” he said.