Following a 72 hour deadline given by the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali to importers to clear their imported rice through land borders or forfeit them to the Federal Government, the Shippers’ Association Lagos State ( SALS ) has said that the ban on importation of rice from land borders would obviously affect revenue collected by NCS.
In a statement released in Lagos Wednesday, the President, Shippers’ Association Lagos State, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Nicol said that the association was very passionate about government making enough revenue to fulfill its responsibility of governance especially at this crucial period.
According to Nicol, “Last month, NCS raked into the Federation Account N1 billion naira through Seme border customs command which was applauded by many stakeholders and it is the first time that Command made such huge revenue. Seme was able to perform because all the components were functional. If the Nigeria Customs officers can curb compromise with importers the revenue will be doubled.
“The ban will motivate smugglers to adopt new tactics of duty evasion with the support of some unscrupulous customs officers. We anticipate a shortfall of revenue from that Command if the ban persists. I would suggest to the CGC to step up the security at various border stations with regular surveillance visits from time to time instead of banning importation of rice through authorized border posts”.
While Speaking on behalf of his members, he also appealed to other importers of rice who may incur huge loses and might not be able to meet up with the deadline given by the CGC to contact the office of Shippers’ Association Lagos State for help.
“Although, government policy might not be favourable for now, we should give President Buhari time to effect the much needed changes within the Customs to bring about the necessary development of the mindset of some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service. We still believe that some of the economic policies that is not favourable to businesses will be changed for the better within foreseeable future. The times may be hard now but it will get better.
“Therefore, there must be a thorough clean up of the system to weed of businessmen in Customs uniforms”, he said.
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