By Favour Aliyu
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has called for a legislative action to establish an independent appeal called Customs and Excise Duties Appeal Tribunal.
In a statement yesterday, it stated that the tribunal would serve as a way to resolve disputes arising from assessment, payment and collection of duties and tariffs by the Nigeria Customs Service, thereby making going to court unattractive and as a last resort.
It stated that the National President of NACCIMA, Ide John Udeagbala, held several advocacy meetings with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise & Tariff, Senator Francis Alimikhena, requesting the Committee to present a Bill for the Amendment of the Customs and Excise Management Act to allow for the establishment of an appeal tribunal.
In response to this request, the House of Representatives Committee on Customs & Excise invited NACCIMA and key stakeholders to a Public Hearing and Call for Memoranda on a bill for an Act to repeal the Customs & Excise Management Act, CAP. C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and to Enact an Act to Establish the Nigerian Customs Service and other Related Matters Act 2021.
Udeagbala who was represented by 1st Deputy President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Chief Emeka Obegolu, while making a presentation, stated the need for a customs & excise duties tribunal was necessitated by the growing conflicts/disputes between the Customs Service and importers/investors on matters of product valuation and harmonized system of product classification, among other issues.
