Hameed Ali Dares Senate Again, Insist On Duty Payment For Old Vehicles

A leaked memo, circulated across area commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, has indicated that the embattled comptroller-general of customs, Hameed Ali, is going ahead with his retroactive duty payment order for uncustomed old vehicles.

On March 15, Mr Ali agreed to suspend mandatory duty payments for old vehicles, following spat with the Senate.

Mr Ali’s decision had generated widespread condemnation, with the Senate directing him to suspend the decision and appear before it in service uniform.

The customs boss, who refused to wear the uniform but suspend the controversial order, had met with the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve differences.

In a statement by the service spokesman, Joseph Attah, on March 15, Mr Ali said the suspension of the planned duty payment was taken after a meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly.

“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,” said the March 15 statement.

But in a surprise twist, Mr Ali, on March 31, ordered circulation of the same order dated March 14, 2017 to customs commands, giving them terms of reference for the nationwide operation.

The circular, with reference number T&T/2017/CIRCULAR NO.09, and signed by the deputy comptroller-general of customs in charge of Tariff and Trade Department, Umar I.A., also provided template on how much an old vehicle owner will pay based on National Valuation Database as provided by the Tariff and Trade Department.

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