Mixed reactions have trailed the recent policy of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) concerning payment of Customs duty on vehicles at Zonal offices of the service within one month.
Residents of Ilorin, on Monday in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed diverse opinions on the policy.
Some of the respondents said it was another way of extorting Nigerians in spite of the harsh economy, while others felt it was a way of curbing corruption.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Customs had in a statement from its Acting Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Atta, told owners of vehicles, who did not pay Customs duty to do so between March 13 and April 12.
“All persons in possession of such vehicles should take advantage of the grace period to pay appropriate dues on them, as there will be an aggressive anti -smuggling operation to seize as well as prosecute owners of such smuggled vehicles after the deadline of April 12.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all private car owners who are not sure of the authenticity of their vehicle’s Customs documents can also approach the zonal offices to verify with a view to complying with the provision of the law,’’ the service said.
The statement listed the four zonal offices where the fees are to be paid as Lagos, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Bauchi.
An Economist, Mr Ademola Jokotoye, said not good for Customs to make innocent Nigerians pay for their failure to do their work effectively.
“The consumer does not have business with the payment of Customs duty; it is the duty of the car dealer.
“The consumer just have to be sure that the papers are complete but with this now, they will soon start demanding for papers for phones, television and other imported items.
“Instead of them to take responsibility for failing to do their (Customs) job, they are shifting the blame on innocent citizens by making us pay for their failure,” Jokotoye said.
Mrs Mariam Adeoye said Customs should rather focus on the root cause of the problem rather than inconveniencing end users.
“No one is saying our porous borders are healthy but they should focus on the root of the problem.
“Going to the end of the value chain does not make any sense,’’ Adeoye said.
However, a Civil Servant, Mr Lanre Oladipo, described the move by Customs as a good development.
A Business Man, Mr Yinka Dairo said it was a welcome development, saying that buyers should not leave without checking Customs papers. (NAN)
BAY/AJA