Cybersecurity Levy: Ndume Berates FG, Says CSOs, Labour Union Should Also Be Blamed

The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has condemned the controversial cybersecurity levy recently introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Ndume berated the Federal Government over the move, saying it cannot continue to impose levies on Nigerians without increasing their income.

He stressed that the cybersecurity levy will increase the tax burden on Nigerians.

He disclosed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today Programme on Friday.

READ: House Of Reps Directs CBN To Suspend Cybersecurity Levy

The senate leader said, “You cannot be loading taxes on people when you are not increasing their income. Their source of income, you are not widening it, you are not increasing it. I am not part of those that support levying people anyhow.”

The lawmaker said although he was part of the senators who supported the amendment of the Cybersecurity Act, it was regrettable that he didn’t spot the part that has placed a burden on Nigerians.

He, however, said the lawmakers alone should not take the blame for the Act, saying that where some things escape the notice of the lawmakers, civil society organisations and the labour unions are supposed to point out grey areas during public hearings.

READ: EDITORIAL: The Cybersecurity Levy Controversy

“The amendment to the Cybersecurity Act, I supported it but not the nitty-gritty and I am not trying to run away from any blame. We have issues with cybercrime you know that, and there is a need for the government to improve the Cybercrime Act, that is what I understand by the amendment.

“Looking at the nitty-gritty would have been the responsibility of interested parties. If I had known there is an issue where a cost would be transferred to a customer or a Nigerian, I would not agree,” he said.