Customs Boss, Hameed Ali, Suspends Collection Of Duty On Old Vehicles

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Hameed AliNigeria Customs Service, NSC said on Wednesday morning that it has agreed with the National Assembly to suspend the enforcement of motor duty payment to make room for further consultations.

Joseph Attah, Acting Director, Public Relations said  in a statement that the decision to suspend the enforcement of motor duty payment was reached at a meeting between the leadership of the National Assembly and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali  on Tuesday.

While announcing the development, Joseph Attah, Acting Director, Public Relations, NCS said in a statement released on Wednesday morning: “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.

It will be recalled that the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service had on Tuesday paid a visit to the President of the Senate, Dr  Bukola Saraki.

He then went into a close door session with Saraki over what was believed to be earlier resolution of the Senate on Tuesday at plenary session that Ali must appear before it in uniform on Wednesday.

This followed the receipt of a letter from Ali seeking permission not to appear on Wednesday.

An Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Azarema Abdulkadir, had written to the Clerk of the Senate requesting that the upper chamber gives the Comptroller-General a new date to appear before it.

The Senate had on March 9, asked Ali to appear in plenary session in uniform on Wednesday to address the issues of retrospective payment of duty on vehicles.

The letter was read by the Clerk, Mr Nelson Ayewoh, to the senators at plenary session.

It stated that Wednesday coincided with the fortnightly meeting of the NCS management. But the Senate had insisted that Ali must honour its invitation to appear before the lawmakers today.

Courtesy -TheNews