TheCable

The ministry of finance says it follows statutory procedures in granting import duty waivers for drugs and health-related commodities donated by the global fund.

In a statement signed by Salisu Dambatta, director of information, the ministry denied claims that Kemi Adeosun, minister of finance, had refused to grant import duty waivers to some importers and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for drugs and health commodities imported into the country.

“There are laid down statutory procedures governing the granting of import duty waivers to importers and NGOs, which are part of holistic measures put in place to check abuses of the federal government’s fiscal incentives, and to put a halt to rampart corrupt practices in the economic sector,” the statement read.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the federal ministry of finance wishes to state that priority and special attention are always accorded requests for import duty waivers for medical equipment and drugs related items.

The ministry warned “defaulters” to comply with the laid down procedures, saying the federal government would ramp up efforts to stifle economic sabotage directed at the health sector.