The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has asked the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to ground the private jets belonging to some wealthy Nigerians over alleged refusal to pay import duties amount to N30 billion, following a Federal Government directive.
In a letter with reference number NCS/T&T/ACG/042/s.100/VOL.II, which was dated November 2, 2021, and addressed to the heads of the aviation agencies, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, asked the agencies to deny, indefinitely, owners of the affected jets, administrative and operational flight clearances.
The letter to NCAA titled, “Recovery of Aviation Import Duty on Privately Owned Aircraft Operating in the Country,” read in part: “The Federal Government in its drive for enhanced revenues has mandated the Nigeria Customs Service to immediately recover from defaulting private aircraft owners the required statutory import duties on their imported aircraft.
“You may wish to recall the verification exercise conducted by the NCS, initially scheduled for a 14 day period, but magnanimously extended over a 60-day period from 7th June through 6 August 2021, following a World Press Conference held on 31st May 2021. The outcome of the aforementioned verification exercise is a compilation of all private aircraft imported into the country without payment of statutory import duty.
“The Nigeria Custom Service, in line with its statutory functions, is empowered by Part 111 Sections 27, 35, 37, 45,46, 47, 52, 56,63 & 64; Part XI Sections 144, 145, 155, 160, 161& 164 and Part XII Sections 167, 168, 169, 173 & 174 of the Customs and Excise Management Act.”
“In this regard, therefore, your full cooperation is being solicited to ensure the success of this initiative and that all such private aircraft owners or representatives are denied administrative and operational flight clearances indefinitely until an NCS issued Aircraft Clearance Certificate is procured and presented to your organisation as proof of compliance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, ALL aircraft operated in accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s regulation for the issuance of Permit for Non-Commercial Flight and those issued with Flight Operations Clearance Certificate and Maintenance Clearance Certificate accordingly are affected by this directive.
“Strict compliance with this directive is to be ensured. Please accept the assurances of my highest regards and esteem as always.”
