The Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose up from its meeting yesterday with a decision to commence a process that would eventually lead to a total ban on the importation of fairly-used computers and electrical appliances, most of which are unserviceable.
Addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. John Odey said research has shown that the fairly used products have over the years constitute environmental danger to Nigerians leading to cancer.
The meeting, which had President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua presiding, expressed worry that the country’s streets have suddenly been taken over by these unserviceable items, most of which are highly intoxicating; especially after being burnt.
He stated that in the recent past, there were reports that importers of theses computers and related electrical appliances engaged in the importation for the purpose of cannibalising the spare parts after which the irrelevant parts are dumped or burnt; which causes cancer if inhaled.
Odey stressed that it was as a result of this that FEC decided to enforce an immediate restriction which eventually could lead to outright ban through the introduction of a high tariff regime; and later a sharp hike that could possibly frustrate importation.
He disclosed that the Federal Government is to set up a committee and the Minister of Finance has been directed to constitute a special task team that would work out the details and modalities for tariff regime.
Also at yesterday’s meeting,the FEC approved the framework and institutional arrangements for the development and implementation of the Vision 2020 programme.
Briefing State House Correspondents, Minister of National Planning and Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Senator Sanusi Daggash said the frame work will form the blue print that will get the country to “where we want to be by the year 2020.”
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