A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has asked the federal government to suspend stamp duty on all types of accounts until the scourge of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) is contained.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election, disclosed this in a statement issued by his Media Office on Tuesday.
He said the deadly disease was also ravaging the economy of nations and urged the federal government to take economic measures to ensure Nigeria did not return to recession.
Atiku also urged the federal government to request large scale industrialists and employers of labour not to disengage workers as a result of the COVID-19, even though the scourge was likely to affect their production and profitability.
He called on the federal government to reduce the pump price of petrol which now stands at N145 per litre, to reflect what it termed the current prevailing market cost.
“These are extraordinary times, and we as a nation must take extraordinary measures to protect the entire nation.
Nigeria is our collective home, as such, we must suppress every partisan disagreement and think and work patriotically to ensure our national survival in the midst of global uncertainty,” Atiku said.
“Every action that can be taken to ease the cost of doing business in Nigeria and reduce the cost of living, while promoting consumer confidence must be implemented.
“All hands must be on deck in a multi-partisan manner to ensure that Nigeria does not return to an economic recession.
This is possible with decisive leadership and disciplined management,” he said.
“I recommend that policies like the Stamp Duty on all types of accounts be temporarily suspended, until such time as the nation’s economy has turned the tide in the fight against this virulent scourge.
“Furthermore, as the landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, has reduced significantly, it is strongly recommended that the government should not absorb the savings, but should pass it on to the Nigerian people by way of reducing the pump price of PMS to reflect the current prevailing market costs,” he added.