OPS urges Tinubu to halt beverage levy bill

The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt the proposed Customs, Excise and Tariff Amendment (CETA) Bill, which seeks to introduce a percentage levy on non-alcoholic beverages.

 

The bill, currently before the National Assembly, proposes a levy per litre based on the retail price of such drinks.

 

OPSN, whose members include the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), NACCIMA, NECA, NASSI and NASME, warned that the move could have far-reaching economic consequences if passed in its current form.

 

The group urged the Federal Government to engage with the National Assembly to suspend the legislative process and align the proposal with broader fiscal reforms being driven by the executive.

 

“This approach would strengthen policy coherence, enhance predictability, and improve the effectiveness of the nation’s excise framework,” the group said.

 

While expressing support for fiscal reforms and public health initiatives, OPSN argued that the bill raises “significant social, economic, administrative, and legal issues” that could undermine government objectives.

 

It described the proposed levy as regressive, warning that it would erode consumers’ purchasing power without offering viable alternatives or meaningful health benefits.

 

The group also highlighted the potential impact on businesses, noting that manufacturers are already grappling with exchange rate volatility, high energy costs, and rising input prices.

 

“An additional excise burden would further increase production costs, reduce capacity utilisation, delay or cancel planned investments, and threaten livelihoods,” OPSN stated.

 

According to the group, thousands of small distributors, retailers, and informal traders who depend on high-volume, low-margin beverage sales could also be affected.

 

The private sector body called for broader stakeholder consultations to ensure any policy introduced strikes a balance between revenue generation, public health goals, and economic sustainability.