Customs rakes in N1 trillion in six months

—-announces extension of verification of private aircraft deadline till July 20

Chinazor Megbolu

The Nigeria Customs Service has realised a whooping sum of N1 trillion within the first six months if the year.

According to Joseph Attah, the National Public Relations Officer of the service, the amount was higher by about N300 billion over the revenue collected within the corresponding period last year which stood at N713.5 billion.

Meanwhile, the Service on Thursday, also announced the extension of the deadline for verification of private aircraft till July 20, 2020.

The agency said the commencement of verification for private aircraft owners between June 7 and July 6, 2021 was due to rising insecurity in Nigeria.

“At the end of the verification period, a total number of 58 private aircraft owners complied.

“In the process of verification, infractions discovered ranged around breach of temporary importation agreement and non-appropriate payment of duty and taxes.

“Interestingly, those in default have indicated interest to pay, with some already commencing the process by making appropriate declarations.

“Considering the level of response and indications for more, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), has graciously extended the verification period for 14 days between 7th July to 20th July, 2021,” Attah said.

He further explained that NCS will not hesitate to invoke appropriate sanctions against any private aircraft owner who fails to take advantage of the extending period in verifying his/her aircraft.