Why we’re yet to implement duty-free food importation policy- Customs

Why we’re yet to implement duty-free food importation policy- Customs

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says the suspension of
duties on imported food items will be implemented as soon as it receives the
list of beneficiaries from the ministry of finance.

 

Abdullahi Maiwada, spokesperson of the NCS, spoke on
Thursday at a joint press briefing of security agencies, organised by the
strategic communications inter-agency policy committee (SCIPC) in Abuja.

 

The development comes almost two months after the federal
government directed the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on the
importation of food staples through land and sea borders to reduce inflation.

 

On August 14, the NCS said it had begun implementing the
policy to allow the importation of maize, husked brown rice, beans, millet, and
wheat.

The waiver, which took effect from July 15 and billed to end
on December 31, is part of measures to combat rising food inflation across the
country.

 

Providing updates at the news conference, Maiwada said the
directive is yet to be implemented because the ministry of finance has not
provided the list of those who will benefit from tax exemptions.

 

“The issue of food security. You made mention of the policy
that was announced by Mr. President and we have issued a statement on the
guidelines on how to benefit from that policy,” he said.

 

 “Well, I would like
to discuss in such a way that the common man would understand how these things
work.

 

“People think that me and you can just go and import rice.
No, that is not what the policy is all about. We have policy issues that have a
long-term effect. We have the medium-term and we have the short-term effects.

 

“So, while formulating policies that are related that have a
short-term effect, we have to do it in such a way that it will not have adverse
effects on long-term policy issues.

 

“Our responsibility as an agency of government, NCS, is to
implement government policies.

 

 “That’s why the
statement we issued is based on the guideline issued by the federal ministry of
finance.”

 

Maiwada said the ministry of finance issued a guideline on
the conditions and the requirements for participation in the zero import duty
scheme.

 

“We have three lines, six lines of tariff line with the HS
code (harmonized system code) with initially a duty of 35% and leave you some
of the items and they have all been waived,” he said.

 

“However, the policy stated clearly that you must be a
miller, you must be a taxpayer, you must have been into operations for a
certain number of years and there will be a quota that will be issued by the
federal ministry of finance.

 

 “So, the list of
those who benefit from those exemptions will come from the ministry of finance
and our role as an agency of government is to implement the directives of the
government. So we are policy implementers, not formulators.

 

“So, by the time we get those lists, within the twinkle of
an eye, we are going to implement those directives from the federal ministry of
finance.”

 

 ‘OVER N277 BILLION REVENUE COLLECTED IN
AUGUST’

 

Speaking on revenue, Maiwada said the service collected
N277.5 billion in import duties for the month of August.

 

He said the service also collected N15.8 billion in excise
duties, reinforcing its commitment to optimising revenue generation.

 

According to the NCS spokesperson, the agency recorded 83
seizures across various commands as part of its efforts to curb smuggling.

 

 “The NCS also
intensified its Operation Whirlwind” (OPWW) to combat the smuggling of
petroleum products, especially in border states,” he said.

 

“The operation over the months has led to the interception
of seven PMS trucks, the sealing of 12 retail outlets, and the seizure of
466,000 litres of PMS and 23 vehicles.”

 

Maiwada said the investigations had resulted in the
prosecution of seven suspects, while three marketers were fined by the Nigerian
Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

 

He added that the sealed filling stations were handed over
for further action.

Source: Why we’re yet to implement duty-free food importation policy- Customs

 - NigerianEye
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