Senator Ali Ndume Opposes Cybersecurity Levy...

The senator from Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has voiced opposition to the divisive cybersecurity levy.

Ndume stated during an appearance on a Channels Television programme on Friday, May 10, that it is improper for the government to keep taxing the populace while doing nothing to raise their standard of living.

He stated: “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 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.”

Ndume added that labor unions and civil society organizations should be the ones pointing out ambiguities in the Act during public hearings and that MPs shouldn't be held solely responsible for it.