FG unveils duty-free shopping village for diplomats

Joel Oladele, Abuja

The Federal Government of Nigeria in compliance with the United Nations Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, which exempts diplomats from all duties and taxes, has unveiled a duty free shopping village for diplomats, where they can enjoy tax-free goods and services in the Country.

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada described the facility as a one-stop shopping village that will not only take care of all the needs of the diplomats in Abuja, but also help in reducing the level of shipment by individual diplomats.

He said, “No doubt, the services provided by the duty-free facility will drastically reduce the volume of diplomatic shipments into the Country.

“It is my hope that the services of the duty-free facility will further provide an additional platform and opportunity for members of the diplomatic community to enjoy this dividend stay in our country.

“I understand that the facility has different interesting and top-notch sections ranging from shopping centre, recreational services, spa, eye centre, restaurants, clinic, etc.

“This affirms that the Federal Government of Nigeria has so far demonstrated its commitment towards ensuring the success of the duty-free facility by giving the needed support for each operation, which will by no small measure, contribute immensely to the economic growth of Nigeria.”

Also speaking,  the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed said the establishment of the facility was important to ensure coordination of imports for the diplomats.

According to her, the decision was in compliance with the United Nations Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 as domesticated by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act number 42 of December 1962.

She noted that the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act of 1962 empowered the Minister of Finance to exempt diplomats from all taxes including customs excise taxes, assuring them of adequate security in the course of their shopping activities or other interactions within and outside the immediate vicinity of the facility.

“The facility we are opening today is fitted with security instruments and will be guided by well equipped government security personnel drawn from several relevant agencies.

“Accordingly, members of the diplomatic corps and their staff and family members are guaranteed of adequate security in the course of their shopping activities or other interactions within and outside the immediate vicinity of this facility,” she said.

“The village will have strict control or cessation of individual requests for waivers on imported items by diplomats which presently, is largely uncoordinated and originated,” the finance minister said.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Diplomatic Village, Uche Odozor, reiterated that the village would improve diplomatic relations between Nigeria and representatives of other countries and multilateral institutions in the country, adding that it was fulfilling to see the unveiling of an edifice that started in 2010.