Senator Ali Ndume has strongly criticized the contentious cybersecurity levy recently implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria, arguing that the Federal Government should not burden Nigerians with levies without raising their income.
The lawmaker from the All Progressives Congress, representing Borno South Senatorial District, made these remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today Programme on Friday.
Ndume emphasized that the cybersecurity levy will heighten the tax burden on Nigerians.
The senate leader said, “You cannot be loading taxes on people when you are not increasing their income. You are not widening it, you are not increasing it. I am not part of those that support levying people anyhow.”
The lawmaker acknowledged that he had supported the amendment of the Cybersecurity Act along with fellow senators. However, he expressed regret that they had overlooked the provision that placed an additional burden on Nigerians.
“The amendment to the Cybersecurity Act, I supported it but not the nitty-gritty and I am not trying to run away from any blame. We have issues with cybercrime you know that, and there is a need for the government to improve the Cybercrime Act, that is what I understand by the amendment.
“Looking at the nitty-gritty would have been the responsibility of interested parties. If I had known there is an issue where a cost would be transferred to a customer or a Nigerian, I would not agree,” he said.
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According to Channels Television, Ndume emphasized that lawmakers should not solely shoulder the blame for oversights in the Act. He suggested that civil society organizations and labour unions should also play a role in identifying shortcomings during public hearings.
On May 6, the Central Bank of Nigeria issued a circular instructing deposit money banks, mobile money operators, and payment service providers to commence deductions for a levy to be remitted to the National Cybersecurity Fund, managed by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The proposed levy has faced widespread criticism, with labour unions warning of nationwide protests if the government does not reconsider its implementation.
