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The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended the controversial motor duty payment.
Nigerians had kicked against the policy which mandated car-owners to ensure that thay had evidence of import duty payment on their vehicles, no matter how old the vehicles are, or risk having the vehicles impounded if found on the road.
NCS Management has now directed that the exercise be put on hold while expressing readiness to engage the Senate Committee on further discussions to bring them on board to understand the importance of the exercise to national security and economy.
The Senate had summoned the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), to appear on Wednesday to explain the policy.
But Ali had told the senators that he would not appear since they insisted that they must see him in Customs uniform.
Recall that since his appointment as Customs boss, Ali has refused to wear the uniform. This has angered a lot of Nigerians who wonder if Ali was bigger than the country’s laws.
Just few hours to when he was scheduled to appear, Ali met with the leadership of the senate behind closed doors last night. Then it later emerged that he has agreed to suspend the policy for which he is supposed to appear before the entire senate.
It is not yet clear how senators would react to the suspension as it is viewed as a desperate attempt by Ali not to appear in uniform.
NCS Management has directed that the exercise be put on hold while expressing readiness to engage the Senate Committee on further discussions to bring them on board to understand the importance of the exercise to national security and economy.