By Steve Agbota, Lagos
In a significant development, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday taken decisive action by deactivating some selected dealer banks failing to meet Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) related to Customs duty and statutory charge remittances.
The decision follows a thorough audit and due process, aligning with the NCS’s commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue collection.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, on behalf of the Acting Comptroller General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The Acting Comptroller General said that the primary objective is to ensure the accurate and timely remittance of Customs duties and other essential funds for national development.
Despite the deactivation of these banks, the Comptroller General has implemented measures to minimize disruptions for importers and stakeholders within the trading ecosystem.
He assures the trading community that all pending assessments will undergo clearance processes in line with international best practices.
“Importers who previously relied on the deactivated banks for duty payments are advised to utilize other Authorized Dealer Banks that comply with NCS regulations. Stakeholders encountering challenges with a particular bank are encouraged to use alternatives that function appropriately.
“The deactivated banks will have the opportunity to be reactivated once they meet all regulatory requirements and settle outstanding remittances. Collaborative efforts with financial regulators and stakeholders are underway to ensure the efficiency and integrity of the Customs Duty Collection system,” he said.
According to him, the NCS places a priority on trade facilitation, putting stakeholders and Nigerian citizens first, even in the face of non-compliance by some authorized dealer banks, adding that this action underscores the NCS’s commitment to maintaining a fair and transparent customs revenue collection process.