Nigeria has unveiled the Diplomatic Duty-Free village in Abuja.
The establishment of the village is in compliance with the United Nations Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which was domesticated by Nigeria in 1961 through the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act of December 1962.
These statutes provide for the exemption of diplomats from all duties and taxes, whether national, regional, or municipal.
“Specifically, the diplomatic immunities and privileges act of 1962 empowers the Ministry of Finance to exempt diplomats from all taxes and ensure diplomats enjoy duty-free shopping facilities,”
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed said at the unveiling of the village.
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Ahmed said that the facility is only for diplomats and members of their households.
She also said the facility became important to ensure the coordination of imports for the diplomats.
She also said that the duty-free facility will enable the government to maintain a database of products.
The Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada said the facility will also help in reducing the level of shipment by various diplomats as the facility, which is a one-stop shopping village, will take care of all the needs of the diplomats in Abuja.
He assured the diplomatic circle of their safety, saying that the government will provide adequate security in the village.
Editor Oloyede Oworu
