During an adventure through the Diplomatic Village, which was built to simulate the duty-free shopping village for diplomats provided by missions across the world, the Federal Government had stated that Nigeria had supported the village with its policy, explaining that the investment was mostly private before the government participated by means of an enabling policy following the Vienna Convention. Yakubu Mohammed, Director of Tax Policy at Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance, explained that the government intervened so that its diplomats may continue to benefit from tax-free shopping in all the nations that have signed the Vienna Convention.
Mohammed affirmed that Uche Odozor, the Diplomatic Village Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, was the one who came up with the idea, and the federal government quickly adopted it because it was an international best practice. This situation entails both activities: a private investment as well as the policy of the government. Following that, the concept was marketed to the government, which discovered that it was a global standard. As such, Nigeria is making an effort to conform to the standards, showing visiting diplomats the same hospitality the country has received from those stationed abroad.
Diplomats will now have a variety of things to enjoy.
According to Uche Odozor, the Diplomatic Village MD / CEO, the diplomats will no longer carry their money with them when they leave the country due to a lack of things to buy. There’s a gallery right outside the building, showcasing artworks by displaced people from all around the country. Odozor said that helping them out was all about improving their quality of life. In discussing the importance of helping Internally displaced people, he stated that they felt compelled to do so because many of the displaced people they have met are incredibly gifted.
As a result, they went out to them to ask whether they would paint their stories so that they might be displayed and sold, and the earnings remitted to them, all without any purpose of earning from the sales. More so, a great response has been received up to this point, with numerous people expressing satisfaction with it. Most importantly, the interior of the building was embellished with materials that were sourced from the surrounding area and fabricated there.
The country’s economy will also be greatly benefited.
In his further remarks on the village’s impact on the economy, Odozor noted that the country is a signatory to the Vienna Agreement of 1961, which grants all diplomats and citizens of Common Wealth Countries the opportunity to shop duty- and tax-free in the nations in which they are stationed. A diplomat is exempt from paying tax on any and all personal items purchased in this nation while functioning in that capacity. The year 1962 commemorates the time when Nigeria officially adopted this policy document.
Moreover, it’s a benefit to the economy in substantial ways. Before this change, Nigeria, which hosts the largest diplomatic community on the African continent, missed out on revenue because its diplomats transported in their consumption when coming. However, as diplomats reside and spend money in Nigeria, the country is now prepared to hold on to some income. The number of diplomatic shipments entering the country will drop significantly as a result of the duty-free center’s offerings, which include a shopping mall, a clinic, a variety of restaurants, and several other facilities.
Maximum security and safety are ensured in the village.
On the village safety, Odozor assures that the village is safe and secure. The area is under constant surveillance by all the appropriate authorities. The presence of diplomats makes any given location an easy target for criminals. Because of this, the entrance to this building is highly guarded. Diplomatic mobile police unit 44 has a substantial contingent based in this location. Many committees and a security division are involved in putting this into action. To their satisfaction, the administration has taken all necessary security measures.
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FG backs diplomatic village establishment – The Nigeria Duty and tax free diplomatic village will replicate global standard. – Express your point of view.
This establishment of diplomatic village establishment is to ensure the villages are upgraded and developed like the urban city. It will need taxing and funding.
This is a notable development initiative seeing that it even stands on a level of international best practice and it possess beneficial gain to the country.
On a journey through the Diplomatic Village, which was intended to imitate the duty-free shopping town for diplomats that is given by missions all over the world, visitors will have the opportunity to:
the statement made by the Federal Government indicating that Nigeria has backed the hamlet with its policy was:
The federal government took action to ensure that its diplomats are able to continue enjoying the perks of tax-free shopping in all of the countries that have ratified the Vienna Agreement.
In an effort to meet to the norms, Nigeria is extending the same level of hospitality to visiting diplomats as it does to diplomats who are permanently based outside of the country.
The idea was sold to the government, which found out that it was a universal norm in the course of the transaction.
They have encountered many refugees who are exceptionally talented, which is one of the reasons why they felt driven to take action.
They went to them in person to ask whether they would be willing to paint their stories so that the paintings could be shown and sold, and the proceeds could be sent to them.
This decision made by the administration to take necessary security measures is good. It assures that the village is safe and secure
FG backs diplomatic village establishment. If truly that Nigerian government can do it, it will go a long way in developing the village
FG backs diplomatic village establishment will help in developing village and be able to turn to urban area where thing will be good and nice
Given that it compares favorably with international best practices and will ultimately benefit the country, this development project deserves attention.
The administration’s move to increase security is welcome. In doing so, it guarantees the village’s safety and security.
Nigeria is making an attempt to conform to standards by providing the same level of hospitality to visiting diplomats as it provides to diplomats stationed permanently abroad.
Any and all personal items purchased in this country by a diplomat while acting in that position shall be exempt from taxation.
Nigeria is providing visiting diplomats with the same level of hospitality that it does for diplomats who are posted permanently abroad in an effort to uphold the standards.
The Nigeria Duty and tax free diplomatic village will replicate global standard since more attention has been paid on diplomatic village establishment and will also help to develop rural areas.
The diplomatic village establishment is a welcome idea that will enable community development.