By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Critics of the Cybersecurity levy mulled by the Federal Government, have been urged to tarry a while and reflect more on its expected gains than the burden and inconveniences that the policy may impose on Nigerians.
This is even as the elite have been cautioned to desist from manipulating the Nigerian populace into perceiving the levy as a punishment being imposed on them by the authorities .
These were some of the views canvassed on Tuesday in Kano by a Civil Society group, Nigeria First Project, NFP, at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Secretariat .
The Coordinator of the group, Comrade Hamza Umar Saulawa, noted that in the face of Cybercrimes in Nigeria with its attendant consequences on our Nation, they find the ongoing hysterical and vicious campaigns against the Cybercrime levy incongruent with the desire of many patriotic Nigerians to see the country”s battered image restored .
The NFP regretted that despite the spirited efforts so far made by some well meaning Nigerians. including Senator Shehu Umar Buba, the senate Committee Chairman on National Security and Intelligence to explain the rationale behind the policy , a minority but vocal elite group has continued to present the well intentioned policy as a poisoned chalice .
They have, therefore appealed to Nigerians to objectively analyze the policy, noting that its advantages far outweigh what ever shortcomings and pain that go with it .
“From the outset, it is important for Nigerians to note that Cybercrime is not only undermining Nigeria’s economy ,but also has continued to tarnish our image globally.
“Today, innocent Nigerians all over the world are being unfairly treated with suspicion at Airports, embassies ,Parks etc .In deed,it is embarrassing that whenever there is a discussion about cybercrime anywhere ,the first people that come to mind are Nigerians.
“Many innocent Nigerians are being embarrassed ,humiliated, and profiled ,because of the activities of Cyber criminals. Many Nigerians have lost golden opportunities because of this terrible phenomenon .
“Also ,innocent hardworking Nigerians have continued to lose their hard earned fortune to cybercriminals . For instance,according to Nigeria Communication Commission ,Nigeria annually loses $500 million to cyber criminals
“Another frightening trend is today ,many young people are joining the illicit cyber crime venture to make fast money .Some of these youths wrongly think that going to school is a scam.Now we have an opportunity to reverse this trend .
“Unfortunately,there are some people who think imposing %.0.5 levy on some companies and institutions that are listed in the second schedule of the cybercrime Act 2024 is too much .
“But on the other hand ,they are not talking about the social and economic loses of the Cybercrime Nigeria incurs .And it is surprising that the antagonists of the levy are not looking at the substantial benefits our country will gain as a result of this levy .
“Some of the benefits including improved funding for counter terrorism and violent extremism .Take for instance,the section 44 ( 5) of the Cybercrime Prohibition ,Preventive Act 2015 ..It has specifically ,stated that ” an amount not exceeding 40% of the fund may be allocated for programmes relating to combating violent extremism
“Taking in to cognizance ,the catastrophic impact of terrorism on our country ,one can think that no saner person will oppose any counterterrorism initiative ,especially on the premise of levy .
“It is irrefutable fact that armed banditry kidnappings for ransom and farmer/ herder clashes have claimed the precious lives of hundreds of thousands of Nigerians .
“Many have been displaced . Terrorism is partly responsible for the present hardship and economic downturn afflicting Nigeria as our farmers ,can not go to their farms ,pastoralist are losing their live stocks ,foreign investors are scared to come to our country.
“Terrorism is exacerbating poverty ,ignorance, and general under development . To fight terrorism and other violent conflicts ravaging the country ,you need adequate fund .
“This money will not come from the heaven . It will be generated from multiple sources ,including through the imposition of levies
“Therefore ,the 40% that will be deducted from the fund will greatly help in the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes such as kidnappings and armed banditry that suffocate our country .We have not seen anything odd in this levy so long it will be judiciously used as prescribed in the Act .
“And we have full confidence in the sincerity of purpose of the President Bola Tinubu led administration ” the group stated
