By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
The Sokoto Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has organised a sensitization workshop for the Sokoto state chapter of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria on the regularisation of import duties for vehicles without customs duty.
The sensitization workshop declared open on Tuesday by the Area Comptroller , Kamal Mohammed was aimed at enhancing compliance and targeted at specific categories of vehicles following the 90 days window for the regularisation of import duties on vehicles without customs duty.
Besides, the workshop also hinted that participants and other Nigerians intending to regularize import duties on their vehicles are to apply through a Customs licensed Agent to any of the Zonal Coordinators (A,B,C,D) with the necessary papers.
Mohammed, while acknowledging the critical role of members of the association in the general activities of importation and sales of vehicles in the country, explained that the association was a driving force in the business of vehicles.
” NCS Sokoto command deems it necessary and relevant to actively involve Sokoto state branch of AMDON as key participant for its critical role.”
He explained that the 90 days window period which started on the 4th of March 2024 to 5th of July 2024 was the singular and strategic service effort of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR to enhance compliance.
However, the Area Comptroller pointed out that the workshop dwelled on two categories of vehicles covered by the window period which include vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite Customs Duty has not been fulfilled or vehicles detained due to undervaluation excluding vehicles seized and condemned.
Hitherto, while explaining that restriction of vehicle importation through land borders was a government fiscal policy, Comptroller Mohammed assured of putting forward yo the headquarters AMDON request for lifting the restriction.
Meanwhile, the Association Chairman , Alhaji Musa Zagi thanked NCS for bracing them along while appealing to the federal government to extend magnanimity by lifting the restriction of importation of vehicles through land borders pointing out that the closure of land borders has caused untold hardship and loss of means of livelihood to hundreds working in the vehicle importation chain.
” It has thereby, contributed to the insecurity in the Northwest.
” Lifting the restriction will bring ease of doing business and encourage compliance thereby discouraging smuggling”, he pointed out.
