At last,  FG succumbs to pressure, suspends implementation of Expatriate Employment Levy

By allcitynews.ng

At last, Federal Government has succumbed to pressure from Organised Private Sector (OPS), by suspending the implementation of the Expatriate Employment Levy.

Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Interior, Ozoya Imohimi announced this in a statement on Friday night.

He said the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had met with a delegation led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite, to address concerns and seek clarification on the recently launched Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL) guidelines.

“The aim of the meeting which held on Friday 8th March, 2024 in a Abuja was to foster constructive dialogue and explore ways to enhance the implementation of the policy while ensuring the welfare of Nigerians and promoting investment.

“However, it was resolved at the meeting that the implementation of the policy should be put on hold for further dialogue among stakeholders”, he stated.

During the discussion, Dr. Tunji-Ojo stressed the Federal Government’s commitment to listening to stakeholders and engaging in meaningful dialogue.

He also noted the importance of striking a balance between attracting foreign investment and prioritising human capital development to benefit Nigerians.

“We understand the concerns raised by stakeholders, and we are committed to finding solutions that promote investment while safeguarding the interests of Nigerians,” the Minister said, adding that the EEL policy was initiated to discourage abuse of the Expatriate quota system and promote the development of the local workforce.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo further reiterated government’s focus on security and economic prosperity, emphasising the need for transparent and law-abiding business practices.

He assured stakeholders of the Ministry’s willingness to engage further and find mutually acceptable solutions.

In her remarks, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Uzoka-Anite, called for more collaboration between the government and private sector to ensure sustainable growth and create a conducive business environment.

“We are committed to working with stakeholders to address their concerns and create a win-win situation for investors and Nigerians. Through dialogue and collaboration, we can define clear guidelines that support economic growth and investment,” Uzoka-Anite stated.

It would be recalled that members of OPS, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association of Nigeria (NECA)
Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), and others have been calling and warning Federal Government of the damage the implementation will cause to the already battered Real Sector and the economy at large.

On its part, NECA advised government to always engaged with Organised Private Sector (OPS) before formulating policies that would affect the sector.
The DG,  Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde cautioning Federal Government against it said the move will not only cause more damage to the economy but would make the industralsation goal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s regime a mirage.

Oyerinde therefore called for the suspension in order to avert more damage.

Likewise, the leadership of MAN said they wondered how a system that had lost over 767 manufacturing firms in 2023 alone would try to add more burden to the shoulders of the sector with the planned implementation of the Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL)

The DG of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, who made this known to journalists explained that the imposition of EEL poses a potential impact on the manufacturing sector and the economy at large.

And also the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Hon. Dele Kelvin Oye, expressed concerns about the impact of the EEL policy on businesses.

He called for suspension of the policy to allow for further dialogue and consensus-building among stakeholders.

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