The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended its controversial policy to
collect import duties on vehicles with no genuine customs paper.
It would be recalled that Customs had given vehicle dealers and private
vehicle owners between March 13th to April 12th to ensure their vehicle
duty payments are regularised.
The policy was however greeted with public outcry and condemnation by
the Senate, Nigerian Labour Congress and other civil groups.
In a statement signed on Wednesday by the Acting Public Re!ations Officer of the
NCS, Joseph Attah, the Service said the decision to suspend the vehicle
duty payment policy was due to ongoing meetings and deliberations
between the management of the NCS and the Senate Committee on Customs
and Excise.
According to the statement, “Following the unnecessary tension generated
as a result of misconception and misrepresentation of the Nigeria
Customs Service planned motor duty payment, the leadership of the
National Assembly and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed
Ali (Rtd) met with a view to resolving the impasse.
“They both agreed that the proposed motor duty payment, though in line
with the provision of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C.45,
LFN 2004 should be put on hold while the Senate Committee on Customs
and Excise interfaces with the NCS for further discussions.
“While payment of duty on vehicles or indeed any dutiable imported item
remains a civic responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian, NCS
Management has directed that the exercise be put on hold while
expressing readiness to engage the Senate Committee on further
discussions to bring them on board to understand the importance of the
exercise to national security and economy.”
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