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| A street kid sleeps after drinking himself into oblivion |
The Sierra Leone government has unveiled
a tax incentive that will encourage alcoholic drinks manufacturers to cut down on
alcohol content.
Drinks with alcoholic content of less
than 10 per cent will henceforth attract between 20 and 30 per cent reduction
in exercise duty.
The National Revenue Authority (NRA) said
the reduction will guarantee a “steady and sustainable streams of revenue” to
finance the provision of public services and support the government`s
development plans.
The move which will align the country`s
tax system to those of other Ecowas member countries, is also a response to warnings
against chronic levels of alcohol addiction in the country.
Last year, civil society activists
mounted a campaign amidst rising number of deaths among street kids as a result
of proliferation of illegal alcoholic brews.
Competition from Indian manufacturers has not only killed the local producing market, but the Indians` products have become a source of danger for the country`s youth and by extension security.
Competition from Indian manufacturers has not only killed the local producing market, but the Indians` products have become a source of danger for the country`s youth and by extension security.
The so-called packet
alcohol, which comes in various forms and shapes but mostly in tiny sachets, with
alcoholic content as high as 70 percent, can cost as low as 500 leones ($10
cents), affordable to even school kids who take them to school.
This has been blamed
for a number of deaths among young people
