Sokoto vehicle dealers laud FG duty payment grace, appeal for import permit

Vehicle dealers in Sokoto State have commended the Federal Government over the 90-day grace period for duty payment of improperly imported vehicles.

The dealers also appealed for an import permit through land borders.

The association chairman, Alhaji Mansur Sarkin-Fadan-Jarma, made the appeal on Tuesday during a sensitization meeting on the 90-day grace period and criteria attached to the policy.

Supreme News reports that the meeting was organised by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Sokoto.

Sarkin-Fadan-Jarma assured that his members would utilise the payment windows to regularise their vehicle duties and urged other vehicle owners to take advantage of the opportunity.

He explained that a permit for vehicle imports through land borders would broaden business opportunities and reactivate activities that were crippled by the policy, depriving people of their means of livelihood.

He said vehicle import business has been a source of employment to many Nigerians, comprising labourers and drivers, among others, stressing that the collapse of the business had subjected people to hardship and poverty.

The chairman added that poverty had been fueling the current security challenges bedevilling the region, assuring that providing more business opportunities would surely enhance peoples wellbeing and address banditry alongside other challenges.

Earlier, the Comptroller of Customs in charge of Sokoto and Zamfara Area Command, Mr Kamal Muhammad, said the 90-day grace period from March 5 to July 6 this year aimed at enhancing compliance and streamlining import processes.

Muhammad said that the initiative applied solely to vehicles imported into Nigeria where the requisite customs duty had not been paid or those detained due to under-valuation

“While we strive for inclusivity, it is important to clarify that vehicles seized and condemned will not be released under this arrangement and shall be forfeited to the Federal Government, in accordance with the existing regulations.

“Valuation and assessment of the vehicles will be carried out using the VIN valuation method, while vehicle owners and importers/agents seeking to regularise import duties on their vehicles are required to apply to the Zonal Coordinators A, B, C, and D zones, CAC, and FCT Command,” Muhammad said.

He noted that vehicle owners must submit the necessary available documents and vehicle registration numbers in line with the Federal Ministry of Finance directives for the registration of imported motor vehicles.

Supreme News reports that the event featured questions and answers on vehicle duty payment points and other issues.