The Nigeria Customs Service has officially announced the cancellation of the controversial benchmark on cargoes, even as it appealed to licensed Customs agents on the need to tell importers to make genuine declaration of cargoes as the Custom is set to pursue its revenue collection drive with renewed vigor.
Speaking for the first time since news of the reversal became public knowledge, the Customs also announced that in order to close the gap that has been created in its revenue for the first quarter of the year as a result of importers abandoning containers at the ports and the rumored diversion of cargo to neighbouring countries, the Custom will now be at the port to work on Saturdays to clear the backlog of containers and collect their duties.
Making this confirmation in Lagos at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the Controller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko who was represented by Assistant Controller General; Victor Gbemudu confirmed that the controversial benchmark has been cancelled by the Customs and that the service is now more concerned about meeting its N1trillion target.
Gbemudu told licensed customs agents at the meeting that: “Let me say that this benchmark thing should be put to rest for now, go to the port and make your declaration and pay your duties; we are not treating any issue like benchmark anymore, I think the issue has been unduly over-flogged, it is not something we should lose sleep over, the bottom line here is collection of our revenue, make your declarations and be guarded by our section 46, 47 and 164,”
“Our doors are even open on Saturdays, go there on Saturdays and pay your duties, we are going to work on Saturdays to clear these backlogs, we need these revenue, we have to achieve it and get it, it is no longer an issue of Monday to Friday, on Saturday we are there, the issue of benchmark does not arise anymore,” he stressed.
Gbemudu who was addressing the leadership and chairmen of ANLCA however pointed out that forthwith, when the duties are not paid, the Nigeria Customs is backed by section 46, 47, and 164 of the Customs and Exercise Management Act (CEMA) to enforce and seize any goods that are not properly declared.
He appealed to ANLCA to partner with the Customs in a more formidable way by advising their importers on the need to make genuine declarations of cargo so as to ensure that the Customs realize the revenue target set by the Federal Government.
“The Customs needs this duty and the bottom line is that this N1trillion is achievable and we can realize it, I want you all to partner with us to get this target,” Gbemudu said.
Speaking earlier, the National President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu whose two years in office also coincided with the annual meeting, assured the Customs boss that ANLCA members under the present administration are transformed, more compliant and up- to- date on international best practices.
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