16th March, 2012
The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) has called on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to intervene in the recent pronouncement by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to impose static database on collection of equal import duty on 26 identified commodities released in its circular to shipping companies and importers.
Specifically, the NCMDLCA said the move by NCS over the imposition of commodities database on items were illegal as it contravened Customs and Excise Management (amendment) Act 20 of 2003.
President of the NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero in a letter to President Jonathan, stated that the NCS circular to shipping companies and importers to implement the static data base on commodities was uncalled for, adding that if the act is not checked, it might cripple port activities at the nation’s gateways.
He said NCS failed to conform with the non-conformity of Nigeria Custom database as applicable to principal on the treatment of valuation of goods as contained in the Customs and Excise Management (amendment) Act 20 of 2003.
Amiwero, who is also the Chairman of Eyis Resources Nigeria Limited said it was only the country’s court of law that is saddled with such responsibility, adding that the NCS has gone beyond its boundary by disobeying the law that established it.
—Esther Komolafe