The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi on Monday said that his team would effectively implement the new Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 after necessary public enlightenment.
Speaking at a workshop to sensitise members of the management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on the provisions of the new Act in Abuja, he said there are “very stiff punitive provisions” in the law.
Adeniyi tasked members of the management and officers of the NCS to familiarise themselves with the new Act with a view to ensuring its full implementation.
“As a responsible institution, we are not unmindful of the fact that the members of the public are not yet familiar with the provisions of this Act. Most importantly the new procedure, processes and the very stiff punitive provisions in the law.
“We are equally appreciative of the urgent need to sensitise the public on the provisions of this law to prevent the excuse of ignorance of the law, which is not a defence. The service will continue to sensitise and educate the public on the provisions of the law and Customs procedure and processes.
“It is against this background that we believe our charity should begin at home by first sensitising the management members. After this phase, other phases of sensitisation that will cover all categories of sections of the service and public have been designed and shall be meticulously executed. We will bring into the sensitisation fold stakeholders like importers, manufacturers, Customs agents and journalists, among others.
“I need to reiterate that this workshop is just an introduction to the new law. The appreciation and understanding of the law shall be due to the constant study, usage and application. In other words, this workshop cannot completely enlighten and educate the participants on the legal jurisprudence of the provisions of the Act.
“To this end, I urge you to pay attention and share your thoughts on issues arising from the Act during this exercise. Interestingly, the facilitators are legal officers from the Legal Department of the service which is a boost to the programme,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that the defunct Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) was enacted 63 years ago and had remained in operation since then without any significant amendment notwithstanding the expansion in government, growth in population and over dynamic progress and challenges in the economy.
Former Chairman, House Committee on Customs and Excise, Leke Abejide, said the new Customs law was declined three times by former President Muhammadu Buhari, before it was eventually signed into law in the twilight of the former administration.
He said it was sheer determination that saw the Bill passed into law and assented the former President barely a month to the end of his administration.
He said that with the introduction of Section 18 of the Act; which provides for a sum not less than 4% of the Free-On-Board value of imports according to international best practice as part of the funds the service shall keep and maintain for its operation, Customs would no longer need to beg for finances in order to perform its lawful and statutory duties.
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