A group, Nigeria First Project (NF-PTO) has called on Nigerians to support the cyber security levy introduced by the government of President Bola Tinubu as the law establishing it provides that 40 percent of the funds will be used in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.
The group led by its National Coordinator, Comrade Hamza Umar, addressed newsmen in Kano on Tuesday calling on Nigerians to be enlightened on the consequences of Cyber Crimes that not only undermine the economy of the country, but also tarnishes its image globally.
Umar further explained that it is only some selected institutions that are made to pay the levy and not everybody and that the law provides that the Auditor General’s office audits the usage of the funds.
He expressed the need for the public to be enlightened about the Cyber Crime Prohibition Act, especially Section 44 (5) which specifically states that an amount not exceeding 40 percent of the fund may be allocated for programs relating to combating violent extremism.
He added that the catastrophic impact of terrorism on Nigeria should encourage positive counter terrorism initiatives, like the Cyber Crime Levy, to augment anti terrorism activities across the country which is currently facing shortage of funds.
“It is an irrefutable fact that armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom and farmer-herder clashes have claimed the precious lives of hundreds of thousands of Nigerians. Many have been displaced.
“Terrorism is partly responsible for the present hardship and economic downturn afflicting Nigeria as our farmers cannot go to their farms, pastoralists are losing their livestock, foreign investors are scared to come to our country.
“Terrorism is exacerbating poverty, ignorance and general underdevelopment. To fight terrorism and other violent conflicts ravaging the country, you need adequate fund.
“This money will not come from the heaven. It will be generated from multiple sources, including through the imposition of Cyber Security Levy.
“Therefore, the 40 percent that will be deducted from the fund will greatly help in the fight against terrorism and other violent crimes such as kidnapping and armed banditry that suffocate our country.
“Therefore, we haven’t seen anything odd in this levy, so long it will be judiciously used as prescribed in the Act.
“And we have full confidence in the sincerity of purpose of the present Bola Tinubu led administration” he added.
The group finally appealed to the media to enlighten the public on the good sides of the Cyber Security Levy.