NAFDAC suspends implementation of new tariffs on food products, others

NIGERIA – The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has suspended the implementation of the new tariffs on food, pharmaceutical and allied products.

The regulator had commenced implementation of the new standards on June 1 that saw a massive hike in medium and small enterprises tariffs from N10, 000 (US$27.78) to N84, 000 (US$233.33).

NAFDAC has said the suspension seeks to reduce tension, and assuage the yearnings of stakeholders in the food, pharmaceutical and allied industries.

In a statement from the agency signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, the regulator said that all NAFDAC stakeholders affected by the new tariffs should revert to payment of the old tariffs until further notice.

“In a decisive and quick move to douse tension and assuage the yearnings of stakeholders in the pharmaceutical, food and allied industries, the Governing Council of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has suspended implementation of the new tariffs, which came into effect on June 1, 2019.

“After a marathon stakeholders’ forum and meeting of the Governing Council, it was resolved that all NAFDAC stakeholders affected by the new tariffs will henceforth revert to payment of the old tariffs until further notice,” part of the statement read.

The statement quoted the Chairman, NAFDAC Governing Council, Mr Inuwa Abdul-Kadir, saying that NAFDAC would continue to dialogue with all concerned stakeholders on the tariff review and other regulatory issues.

Abdul-Kadir said the council considered the inputs of the stakeholders in arriving at a new tariff regime, adding that the new tariffs would soon be released by the agency after sensitizing the public and other needed procedures.

He said the suspension of the new tariffs was borne out of NAFDAC’s avowed commitment to the promotion of the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

“The need to carry along our stakeholders in decision making is in line with global best practices. NAFDAC will continue to promote the manufacture, exportation and importation of good quality products.

“We need to promote local manufacture of regulated products as part of Federal Government’s concerted efforts to create jobs and increase foreign exchange earnings by our dear nation,” he said.

Abdul-Kadir said the agency would ultimately evolve separate tariffs for the over 35 million MSME operators dealing on NAFDAC regulated products while also ensuring that they adhere strictly to extant regulations without compromise.