FCT: Wike waives taxes for diplomatic missions in Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has disclosed that the FCTA will waive the payment of taxes for diplomatic missions in the nation’s capital.

The move is reciprocal as Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad are also exempted from taxes.

The FCT Minister said this in Abuja on Wednesday, when he received the ambassador of Cote D’Ivoire to Nigeria, Kalilou Traore, in his office.

“Let me also say that the issue of tax will be waived. I will call the authority that is responsible for cooperation with you on this issue.

“I know that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told me that the same thing applies to them in the other countries where they operate. So, that will not be an issue,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Kalilou Traore, said he was on a visit to inform the FCT Minister about the intention of the embassy to commence the development of its land in Maitama District, in line with the directive of the FCT Administration to develop the land within a given timeframe.

The envoy also expressed the mission’s desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Nigeria, the biggest country on the African continent, and Cote D’Ivoire, the biggest among Francophone countries in Africa.

He said: “I wanted to come to you to propose twinning Abuja with the political capital of Cote D’Ivoire, that is Yamoussoukro.”