A Non-Governmental Organization, Nigeria First Project has challenged Federal government to reinstate enforcement of Cybersecurity Levy amid public outcry against the extra cost on Nigeria.
Even though President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the implementation of the Cybersecurity levy, the group insisted the Cybersecurity levy was sincerely introduced by the government as part of strategies to combat insecurity.
Besides, the NGO urged Nigerians to dismiss insinuations that the levy was introduced to punish masses already saturated by the impact of subsidy removal and hyper inflation in the country.
Addressing journalists at Kano press centre on Tuesday, the National Coordinator of NFP, Hamza Umar Saulawa alleged a deliberate attempt by unscrupulous politicians to changed the narratives of the good-intended Cybersecurity levy imposed on identified companies.
According to him, imposition of the levy was part of government’s strategy of combating insecurity on the Cyberspace and restore sanity against the mounting threat security.
He said: “In the face of growing cybercrimes in Nigeria with its attendant consequences on our nation,we find the ongoing hysterical vicious campaign against the Cybersecurity levy incongruence with the desire of many patriotic Nigerians to see that our hitherto country’s good image is restored.
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“It is obvious that the conversation is being manipulated by the section of the minority vocal elites to look as if the levy is imposed to punish the masses. This is happening despite the clarification made by the Chairman, Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Shehu Umar Buba. We feel that this kind of debate in which many take an extreme end is not helpful at all.
“We urge all Nigerians to objectively and without any prejudice ,examine this landmark clause -Cybersecurity Levy in its entirety . They would surely see its great prospects to our country.”
Hamza reminded Nigerians that cybercrime is not only undermining Nigeria’s economy, but also has continued to tarnish the nation’s mage globally.
He regretted that:. “Today, innocent Nigerians all over the world are being unfairly treated with suspicion at Airports, embassies,motor parks,etc. Indeed it is so embarrassing that whenever there is a discussion about cybercrime anywhere,the first people who come to minds ,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 Nigerian Communication Commission, Nigeria annually loses $500 Million to cybercriminals.
“Another frightening trend is today ,many young people are joining the illicit cybercrime venture to make fast money.Some of these youth wrongly think that going to school is a scam.”