Customs suspends vehicle duty policy

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has suspended the implementation of its policy for duty payments on old vehicles, in order to resolve issues with the Senate Committee on Customs. The Acting Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr Joseph Attah, said this on Wednesday in Abuja.

He stated, that the Management of Customs had directed that the exercise be put on hold and expressed its readiness to engage the Senate Committee on further discussions. Saying that the essence was to bring the Senate on board to understand the importance of the exercise to national security and economy.

“Following the tension generated as a result of misconception and misrepresentation of the NCS 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.

“Payment of duty on vehicles or any dutiable imported item remains a civic responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian,’’ Attah said.

It should be noted that recently, the comptroller-general approved one month grace for all Nigerian vehicle owners who have not paid duties to do so or face outright seizure of the vehicles, this also this applies even to new vehicles bought from car dealers.

The service gave a window of one month, from March 13 to April 12, for car owners to pay the appropriate duty on their vehicles.

The public relations officer said that some owners of vehicles brought into the country through the land borders, obviously, did not pay duty. (NAN)

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