The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled a Diplomatic duty-free village in Abuja, where diplomats can now buy items and enjoy tax-free services in the country.
The Diplomatic village was established in compliance with the United Nations Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which exempts diplomats from all duties and taxes, whether national, regional or municipal.
Minister of State, Foreign Affair, Zubairu Dada, said the facility will also help in reducing the level of shipment by individual diplomats, and provide a one-stop shopping village that will take care of all the needs of the diplomats in Abuja.
He also assured the diplomatic circle of their safety, noting that the government will provide adequate security at the village.
“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 be no small measure contribute immensely to the economic growth of Nigeria,” Dada said.
No doubt the services provided by the duty free facility will drastically reduce the volume of diplomatic shipments into the country.
Also speaking, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said the federal government took the establishment of the facility important to ensure coordination of imports for the diplomats.
Ahmed said the diplomatic immunities and privileges Act of 1962 empowers the Ministry of Finance to exempt diplomats from all taxes and enjoy duty free shopping facilities in several countries.
She said the village will ensure strict control or cessation of individual requests for waivers on imported items by diplomas, which presently, is largely uncoordinated and originated.
Ahmed added that the duty-free facility will enable the government to maintain a database of products.
Managing Director of the village, Uche Odozor, said the establishment of the facility will no doubt improve diplomatic relations between Nigeria and representatives of other countries and multilateral institutions in the country.
Odozor said it is fulfilling to see the unveiling of an edifice which started since 2010.
“We have within this facility a wellness and fitness centre comprising a spa for those who enjoy wellness and beauty, a clinic, among the many facilities,” Odozor said.
The facility is set on a 2,700 square-metre land on the Olusegun Obasanjo Way Central Business District Abuja. (NAN)
