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.”
