From Vanguard
Following
the outcry over the recent directive restricting importation of vehicles
through the land border, the presidency has directed the Ministry of Finance
and the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, to extend the 90 days grace period.
 |
| Lucky Amewiro |
The
presidency in a letter to the National Council of Managing Directors of
Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, noted that it has write to both government
agencies to look at the complains and points raise by the council and take necessary
action.
The
NCMDLCA had written to the presidency complaining about the effect of the
policy on importers of vehicles through the land borders and the economy.
The
letter was titled “Extension of ninety days grace on motor vehicles held up at
the land borders and also review the auto policy to meet up with challenges of
implementation.”
In
the letter with reference number ECD/P/251/T/III/323 dated 25/02/2017 and
signed by Ibrahim M. Abdul, Assistant Director in charge of Public Sector
Relation on behave of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, noted
that both the Ministry and Customs have been directed to work at extending the
90m days grace period.
The
letter read in part, “I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
dated 12/02/2017 in respect of the above subject and inform you that the issues
raised therein have been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the
Nigeria Customs Service for consideration and necessary action.”
The President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents
(NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero, had earlier called on the Federal Government to
revisit the ban on importation of vehicles through the nation’s land borders
with a view to giving the importers 90 days grace period to clear their trapped
vehicles at the various borders.
Amiwero made this call
in a letter he addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari recalled that about ten
thousand (10,000) motor vehicles were held up at various land borders, which
according to him were legal entry points in the clearance of goods.
He maintained that
land boarders were legal entry points recognized as legitimate points by the
Federal government under the Import Guideline and the Destination Inspection on
agreement for the provision of X-ray Scanning Equipment as process centre for the
collection of import duties and other charges, which included motor vehicles
and other goods.
The NCMDLCA boss
observed that the ban stopping importation of vehicles through the land border
contravened the World Trade Organization (WTO) Articles X on publication and
application of trade regulations.
According to him,” The
provision as contained in the above Convention stipulates that each contracting
party shall provide opportunities and an appropriate time period for traders
and other interested parties to comment on the proposed introduction or
amendment of laws and regulations of general application related to the
movement, release, and restriction of transit goods.
“As stipulated in the
WTO convention, trade regulations and amendments with regards to restriction
and reversal of Fiscal Policy on trade, must be subject to process of
consultation by trading public and transparency in the timing, so as to
accommodate the challenges that will be associated with the
directive/regulation.
“The
restriction of vehicles through the land border is with a very
short notice, which contravenes the convention and global best practice on
reasonable information across the international community, carrier, and
shippers, traders etc. that are directly affected by the decision,” he noted.
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