Customs threatens seizure of private jets over failure of verification
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has said it will stop any failed private jets on the July 7 expiration date, as part of the ongoing verification.
Customs public relations officer Joseph Attah said this during a press conference to take stock of the verification in Abuja on Monday.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) recalls that the service announced on May 31 its intention to carry out a holistic audit of the importation of private planes operating in the country.
Attah explained that as the government agency responsible for enforcing laws governing imports and exports in Nigeria, NCS would not hesitate to invoke appropriate sanctions against any failed private aircraft.
He said such measures, including the detention of the planes, would be taken immediately after the verification period expired on Tuesday, July 6.
The spokesperson revealed that after two weeks of the 30-day verification period, only six private jet owners had responded to the invitation.
He added that this was what required updating and reminding those who had not responded to do so in others to avoid possible detention of their planes.
“You will recall that the May 31, 2021 service made public its intention to conduct a holistic audit of the importation of private aircraft operating in the country.
In addition to the May 31, 2021 press conference, a paid advertisement inviting private jet owners for verification between June 7 and July 6, 2021 was published in Sun, Nation and Daily Trust News on June 1, 2021.
“Online platforms have also been active on the publication of the notice in the public interest.
“The Service believes that private aircraft owners are people in high places who would be willing to comply with the country’s applicable laws governing the importation of the aircraft they own, this includes paying all appropriate duties and taxes.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, private aircraft owners or their representatives should report to Room 305, Tariff and Trade Departments, Nigerian Customs Service Headquarters. Abuja,”he explained.
He noted that the exercise that started on June 7 will end on July 6, 2021, adding that it starts daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
He said owners or representatives of private planes should carry documents such as the aircraft registration certificate, NCAA Flight Operations Compliance Certificate (FOCC) and NCAA Maintenance Compliance Certificate (MCC).
Others, he said, are the NCAA Non-Commercial Flight Permit (PNCF) and the Temporary Import Permit (TIP) where applicable.
Attah said the ongoing audit was to ensure all private jets in the country were properly imported and cleared with all appropriate taxes paid. (NAN)
