Customs Adopts New Mechanism On Dispute Resolution, Tarrif Classification. Others


Customs Adopts New Mechanism On 
Dispute Resolution, Tarrif Classification. Others
... Be responsible to your health - CGC
By: Bisi Akingbade

The Nigeria Customs Service has embraces a new major structure to champion the course of trade facilitation where issues of dispute resolution, tarrif classification and anything pertaining to customs procedures will be handled.

The Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR revealed this during his visit to Oyo/Osun Customs command on Monday.

Comptroller Adewale said  "we want to resuscitate customs consultation committee, a platform where stakeholders, private sectors and customs will come together to discuss ailing issues. This used to exists 15-20 years ago. Where i was part of those who initiated it back then but successive heads of customs have not paid desired attention to the existence and the workings of this committees. We have met and planned to resuscitate this forum, so that we can periodically interact to find solutions to pending issues," 

 " in addition to this major structure new customs act has now open up a number of initiatives that the customs can go ahead to champion the course of trade facilitation which  includes a new provision for dispute resolution, basically under the old CEMA Customs could act as a judge, the umpire, the accuser in the cases that involves it. Under the new law , new mechanism has been opened for the resolution of dispute on tarrif classification, valuation, anything that has to do with customs procedures"

He said "since my assumption in office  I have made it clear that regular consultation and collaboration will be a cardinal objective of what he do in the discharge of my mandate. Why do I do this? I have explained it to officers before, excise traders, manufacturer here are a bit shaky in the midst of our economy. 
"We know the circumstances under which you function, we know the very very serious challenges which you are facing, yet you are still in business, you are paying taxes, you are keeping Nigerian employed. So we really appreciate the onerous responsibility you are showing us. This is one partnership that we must cherished".

"This is why we said we must at periodic level, listen to you, open up our doors, get to understand your concerns, because your concerns should be of paramount importance to us. If you failed, if your company winds up, it means we have missed opportunity to collect excise duty from you,  but if you succeed and have turnover in millions through multiplier effect, which means you will be talking about your contributions to the national colours, talking about forex on your export, and of course your employment that you generate for the country, and the totality of it will increase our gross domestic product (GDP)".

"I therefore want to tell you today, we have a new management Customs that is committed to forging very very strong partnership, very strong working relationship with you. We will work with you tasly progress in a development in our modernisation in our engagement.

"We would like  to bring you on board and you make a part of our moving forward".
"There are a number of development that have happened since I took over. I looked at the national council for trade facilitation which should be the pivot fo advancing a number of initiatives and related to trade facilitation in the country and nominally customs is the bright chair of this committee which domiciled in the ministry of industry,  trade and investment".

"But over the years not much has been achieved by that committee. Now we want to give that committee a new life. We have had engagement with MAN, NACCMA and customs is actually going to host them at the next meeting of this committee. And we are also planning to organise and hold a retreat for the members of this committee along with customs, so that we can know those vital things we can deployed as customs to facilitate trade better than its been done before to move forward".
Earlier, the CGC advised the officers of the command to take care of their health "the way at which we are printing obituary of officers is alarming because officers are not taking personal responsibility of their health. Learn to live healthy life, learn to seek assistant when you need it. Don't suffer in silence when you are undergoing condition that you might be assisted. You can go to reference hospitals that are closed to us here.  As far as good life is concerns, your good health insurance, your vehicle insurance are still intact. You are still entitled to 300% of your salary".

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller BA Jaiyeoba in his address of welcome commended the Comptroller General of Customs for his unwavering support and exemplary leadership role. 

"We are excited today Sir, as we  come together to celebrate this occasions. It is fair to say that no CGC has visited this command in the last fifteenth year.

 "This visit is particularly significant, and it symbolises not only the dedication and commitment of the Ag. CGC to his duties, but also his unwavering support for our command", he said.

"His visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence have undoubtedly set a new benchmark for the entire Customs Community". 

"It is high time we work diligently to uphold the principle of transparency, integrity and professionalism".

He said Oyo/Osun Customs command covers expansive lands which comprises of 36 local government in oyo state and 30 local government in osun state and borders republic of Benin. The lands cover 37, 765 kilometres and it is both revenue and enforcement command, 

Comptroller Jaiyeoba stated that command collects revenue from excise factories by way of excise duties and import duties from bonded warehouses and terminals.

He added that the command has made 156 seizures of various Customs goods with duty values of 250,934,959 covering January to July year 2023.

Stakeholders presence at the meeting were representative of  Nigerian Breweries, Danjuma Donny Kelly,  Nigeria Bottling Company, Adegoke Joseph,  Isaac Isreal, Seven-Up Bottling Company,and Edward Omojumi from British American Tobacco These companies appreciated Oyo/Osun Customs command for a job well done  and  want Customs to be the voice for manufacturers.

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