Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho) on Thursday participated in a one-day public hearing jointly organised by the Senate Committee on Finance and the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise & Tariffs.
The session focused on a proposed amendment to Section 21(3) of the Customs, Excise & Tariffs Consolidated Act, seeking to replace the current fixed ₦10 per litre excise duty on non alcoholic, carbonated, sugar-sweetened beverages with a percentage-based levy tied to retail prices.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Rivers West), also proposes the earmarking part of the revenue for health promotion and disease prevention programmes.
The public hearing had in attendance the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, represented by Senator Adeniyi Ayodele Adegbonmire, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, the Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Pate, as well as representatives of relevant ministries, departments, and agencies.
