Nigeria Customs Service, on Monday, says it will soon embark on a fresh verification exercise for the documentation of all private plane owners in Nigeria following allegations of tax evasion by these categories of citizens.
NCS Deputy Comptroller, Joseph Attah, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, said the exercise became imperative due to the economic and security situation in the country.
Attah added that the exercise would be in strict compliance with the laws of Nigeria.
According to him, “Due to the reluctance of some highly placed individuals to pay taxes, the Nigeria Customs Service will be taking stock of all privately owned aircraft in the country.
“This is to ensure strict compliance with all relevant regulations governing importation of such aircrafts.
“Consequently, Nigeria Customs Service, in line with its statutory functions as provided for in Part III Sections 27, 35, 37, 45, 46, 47, 52,56,63 & 64; Part XI Sections 144, 145, 155, 160, 161 & 164 and part XII Sections 167, 168, 169 173 & 174 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), hereby invites ALL the owners of private aircrafts in the country to come forward with their relevant importation clearance documents for verification.”
Attah urged private airline owners or their representatives to report to its headquarters in Abuja with: Certificate of Registration, NCAA’s Flight Operations Compliance Certificate (FOCC) NCAA’s Maintenance Compliance Certificate (MCC), NCAA’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) and Temporary Import Permit (TIP) (where applicable).
He said that the exercise would hold from June 7 to July 6.
Generates N7.9bn in 2021
The deputy comptroller also revealed that NCS generated the sum of N799,024,705,961.00 between January 1 to May 30, 2021.
Attah stated that the sum was higher than the amount generated within the same period last year to the tune of N226,110,610,991.00.
“The feat was made possible due to strict implementation of all extant rules governing imports, exports and excise in Nigeria, strategic deployment of officers, automation of the processes and regulations, increasing inclination of officers and men to put national interest above selves.”