New import duty on vehicles soon to become effective – Kathleen Ekekezie
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LEFT: Deputy Comptroller, Admin, Zone ‘A’ Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs M.O. Aguda, Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalist, (NUJ), Lagos State Council, Comrade Tunde Olalere, Assistant Comptroller General/Zonal Co-ordinator, Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs Kathleen Chinwe Ekekeze and Chairman, NUJ Lagos State Council, Comrade Leye Ajayi.- Picture: Isaac Jimoh Ayodele
Nigerians clamouring for immediate implementation of the reduced duty payable on imported vehicles have been urged to calm down as the circular from the Finance Ministry is being awaited to provide the necessary guidelines and authorization for the Nigerian Customs Service to begin implementation without much ado.
Making the appeal is the Zonal Coordinator of zone A headquarters, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Assistant Comptroller-General, Kathleen Ekekezie, during a courtesy visit by the Lagos State Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.
She reiterated as announced in President Muhammadu Buhari’s budget speech that, the duty rate on cars and other vehicles would come down very soon to the delight of many Nigerians.
The Coordinator of zone A headquarters reminded importers that the NCS had automated all its operations and as such, they need not to only be digitally savvy, but must be acquainted with the import rules and regulations
She explained that by the automation of NCS operations, it had permanently eliminated doctored Bill of Lading because once the valuation of the vehicle is done, the system captures it and it becomes irrevocable
Ekekezie further declared that “If you have brand new vehicles, you must have the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR)’’.
On donated items that arrived the ports, the Customs chief explained that the consignee would write the Federal Ministry of Finance for, ‘Import Duty Exemption Certificate”, IDEC, which she noted had already been automated by the Ministry, and such request usually would not be unnecessarily withheld.
According to her, the next thing is to approach the Customs Service and make proper declarations.
Earlier, the NUJ Chairman lauded the NCS for speedy deployment of scanners at the ports and border posts.
Ajayi commended the zonal coordinator for the effective administration of the 13 commands and units under her jurisdiction.
The NUJ Chairman said the service had done well in its triadic functions of collection of revenue on behalf of the federal government, facilitation of international and national trade and the prevention smuggling activities.
He solicited the assistance of the NCS in terms of training and retraining of his members in the Lagos council in order to effectively report the activities of the service and avoid misrepresentation.
Ajayi also called for the assistance of the service towards the completion of the ongoing remodelling of the secretariat of the union at Iyalla Street, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
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