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Customs makes U-turn, suspends car import duty payment policy
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has “put on hold” the controversial import duty payment on cars which has generated a lot of controversy for the service.
The decision to put the implementation on hold was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Joseph Attah, on Wednesday morning.
Attah said this was the outcome of a meeting between the Controller General of the NCS, retired Colonel Hameed Ali, and the leadership of the Senate.
Recall that Ali had after telling the Senate he would not honour the invitation extended to him to appear at plenary on Wednesday over the issue, rushed to the National Assembly where he held a closed door meeting with the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
Based on the outcome, Attah described the tension generated over the issue as “unnecessary”.
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He said, “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 & 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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Animashaun Ayodeji
March 15, 2017 at 1:09 pm
Apparently this had been discussed by Ali and the Senate president before this day. This was why Ali failed to appear before the Senate, he has nothing to say to back up himself for implementing the import duties. Well, it’s good news the controversial payment has been reverted to its prior state
Margret Dickson
March 15, 2017 at 1:11 pm
There was neither misconception nor misrepresentation, the policy was bad and horrible. Not a good one for Nigeria
yanju omotodun
March 15, 2017 at 1:18 pm
Our Senate has been fighting for the masses recently. I salute them for this. Although I know they are doing this too because most of them will be affected directly by the policy.
Johnson Amadi
March 15, 2017 at 4:54 pm
You don’t need to salute them for anything, that’s why they are getting paid. It is their job to fight for the interest of Nigerians.
seyi jelili
March 15, 2017 at 5:13 pm
They may choose not to fight for our rights if they choose too. So we better thank them so they can help us for further harsh policies.
Balarabe musa
March 15, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Corruption won’t cease in this country. Ali connived with the Senate to halt the policy because the policy is antithetical to the Senators and their families but they are fooling us to make it as if they are fighting for the masses. What a pity.