From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Northern region appears to have been divided over the introduction of cyber security taxes with Northern Elders Forum (NEF) kicking against it, just as another group,Northern Stakeholders yesterday rose from a one-day roundtable discussion on Cybersecurity Act, asking the Federal Government to commence its implementation considering its many benefits to national security.
The Northern stakeholders, most of whom were drawn from the Civil Society, NGOs and Academia, were led by the Director of Arewa House, Dr. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, Secretary General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Murtala Aliyu and Director General of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Gambo Umar, among others.
The stakeholders were, however, quick to state that banks and other financial institutions should bear the burden of the proposed 0.5 percent levy, rather than passing it on to the citizens, who they argued were already facing multiple taxes and levies imposed by banks.
NEF’s spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman had, in a statement penultimate week, expressed the Forum’s dissatisfaction with the policy, citing the escalating costs associated with banking transactions as a result of multiple charges.
The NEF called on the government to reconsider the policy and explore alternative measures to ease the financial strain on individuals, while still promoting the use of electronic payments.
“It is imperative that the administration takes into account the concerns raised by a vast majority of Nigerians, and priorities policies that protect the interests of the people, while also fostering economic growth and development.
“It is crucial that the government listens to the concerns of organisations like the NEF, and works towards implementing policies that benefit all Nigerians, rather than burdening them with additional costs and hardships.
“It is essential to strike a delicate balance between enhancing cybersecurity and easing the financial burden on the populace, particularly at a time when the Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges due to inflation and other economic factors,” NEF stated.
However, reading their communique to journalists shortly after the round-table discussion, the leader of the stakeholders, Dr. Shuaibu Aliyu, said the discussion was organised to review and make inputs on the Cyber Security Act, examine the degree of vulnerability to cyber crimes, the methodology and mechanisms to be applied, as well as the organisations to pay the levy.
According to the communique, “The participants acknowledged that the Cybersecurity Act is a well-articulated and necessary initiative to address the increasing cyber crimes in Nigeria. The Act is seen as a positive step towards safeguarding the country’s digital infrastructure and protecting its citizens from cyber threats.
“The participants recognised the real and significant danger posed by cyber crimes to the country. They emphasised the need for effective measures to prevent and combat cyber crimes, as they can undermine national security, economic stability, and the privacy of individuals.
“There was a general concern among the participants regarding the usage of funds collected through the proposed 0.5 percent levy. They stressed the importance of accountability and prudent utilisation of the funds to ensure that they were allocated to the appropriate areas, such as strengthening cybersecurity capabilities, enhancing law enforcement efforts, and supporting initiatives aimed at educating the public about cyber threats.
“The participants recognised that citizens already face multiple taxes and levies imposed by banks and other financial institutions. They emphasised the need for these institutions to bear the burden of the proposed 0.5 percent levy, rather than passing it on to the citizens. This approach would alleviate the financial strain on individuals and ensure that the responsibility is shared by institutions that directly benefit from enhanced cybersecurity measures.
“The participants acknowledged the prevailing physical insecurity challenges, such as kidnappings, terrorism, and banditry in the Northern region. They emphasised the need to allocate a portion of the funds generated through the proposed levy to address these issues.
“By investing in initiatives to enhance physical security, the government can create an environment that supports the effective implementation of the Cybersecurity Act, as both cyber and physical security are interconnected.
“The participants recognised the need for collaboration among various stakeholders, including government agencies, academia, NGOs, and civil society organisations, to effectively implement the provisions of the Cybersecurity Act. They reiterated the importance of fostering partnerships to share knowledge, resources, and best practices in combating cyber crimes.
“The participants emphasised the importance of ensuring that the implementation of the Cybersecurity Act does not infringe upon the civil liberties and privacy rights of individuals. They called for the development of safeguards and mechanisms to protect the rights of individuals, while effectively combating cyber crimes.
“The participants stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, law enforcement agencies, and the private sector to effectively combat cyber crimes. They recommended the establishment of strong partnerships and information sharing mechanisms to facilitate timely response and investigation of cyber incidents. This collaboration would enhance the overall cybersecurity ecosystem and contribute to a safer digital environment for individuals, businesses, and the nation as a whole.
“The participants expressed their gratitude to the organisers of the round table discussion and pledged their commitment to supporting the implementation of the Cybersecurity Act. They urged the government to consider the points raised during the discussion and ensure that the Act is implemented in a manner that alleviates the burden on citizens, promotes awareness and education, and addresses both cyber and physical security challenges in the Northern region and the Country.”