Minister of finance, budget and national planning Zaniab Ahmed has said that the allegation of missing stamp duty revenue is currently being investigated by the National Assembly and security agencies.
She said if the allegation proves to be true and funds were recovered, it would help government to finance its huge budget deficit.
The minister made the remarks at the public presentation and breakdown of the highlights of the 2023 Budget in Abuja.
It can be Recalled that a member of the House of Representatives Muhammed Gudaji Kazaure had raised the alarm of alleged theft of 89.1 trillion naira stamp duty proceeds accusing governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele of being behind the missing money.
The minister said both oil and mining sectors were pulling the national economy back and pointed to the costly fuel subsidy regime as one of drain on the economy.
The minister said the oil sector only contributed 22 per cent to the economy in 2022, a development she said was an indication that the economy is truly diversified and the non-oil sector driven by communications and agriculture has grown the economy significantly.
Ahmed said that the federal government would be excluding some industries from the pioneer tax incentive list even as she acknowledged that it may be an unpopular move that is likely to draw public criticism. LEADERSHIP
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