SSB tax revenue should fund primary healthcare, screening — Senate

By John Alechenu, ABUJA

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Secondary and Tertiary Services, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, has urged the Federal Government to channel revenue from the proposed Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB) Tax to primary healthcare and screening programmes.

Banigo made the call in Abuja on Thursday when she received members of a coalition of over 80 civil society and professional groups advocating the passage of the SSB Tax Bill.

The coalition visited the Senate to appreciate her efforts in advancing the bill through the upper chamber and to seek her support in ensuring its passage by the House of Representatives.

The senator argued that proceeds from the tax should be specifically allocated to addressing the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), rather than being merged with general government revenue.

“For me, it must be ring-fenced. Part of the money should go to health promotion, primary healthcare, preventive care and cancer screening. That is the only way Nigerians will see the impact and buy into it,” she said.

Banigo, a medical doctor and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, said diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and obesity are placing increasing pressure on Nigeria’s healthcare system and households.

“When people fall sick and develop complications, it affects the economy. Prevention is better and cheaper than cure,” she added.

She commended the coalition for providing evidence-based data to support the bill and for engaging stakeholders during the Senate public hearing.

Banigo assured the group of continued support from the National Assembly, saying the Senate would sustain efforts to ensure the bill becomes law.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the visit was to acknowledge Banigo’s role in championing the bill.

“We are here to say thank you for championing this bill. Like Oliver Twist, we are asking that you assist with reaching out to your colleagues in the House of Representatives to also pass the bill,” he said.

The SSB Tax Bill seeks to impose levies on sugary drinks as a measure to reduce excessive consumption and generate funds to support healthcare interventions amid rising cases of diabetes, hypertension and other NCDs in Nigeria.

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