Nairametrics| The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has suspended the controversial vehicle duty policy which requires car owners to pay duties on cars that have “illegally entered” into the country. The policy which had drawn the ire of Nigerians in several quarters, has led to the current face-off between the Customs Director-General and the Senate. Read below the full statement released by the NCS.
MOTOR DUTY PAYMENT PUT ON HOLD
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.
Signed
Joseph Attah
Ag. Public Relations Officer
For: Comptroller-General of Customs
Finally, vehicle owners can heave a sigh of relief as many had wondered the sense of judgement behind the request in the first place especially as the Customs would have been had a role to play in allow illegal vehicles into the country in the first place.