Business
NAGAFF Backs Duties Collection On Old Vehicles
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) last Monday said it supported the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on the enforcement of duties on uncustomised old vehicles.
National Publicity Secretary of NAGAFF, Mr Stanley Ezenga disclosed the association’s position in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
Ezenga said the association was surprised by the growing opposition to the enforcement aimed at discouraging smuggling and boosting government‘s revenue.
Ezenga said non-payment of duties on imported vehicles, whether new or old, was an act of economic sabotage and advised defaulters to comply with Customs’ directive and pay their duties.
He said the NSC had given the enforcement a human face with the rebate offered and the time frame for compliance.
“We at NAGAFF do not see anything wrong in the decision of the Customs to collect duties on imported vehicles that are not customised.
“Remember these vehicles were smuggled in the first place and it is within the mandate of the Customs to collect duties on them even when such are kept in warehouses or even in people`s bedrooms.
“So, there is nothing draconian or bad in this step; it is like asking people to pay their taxes and distraining companies that are not complying. We think that is the law.
“This step is about helping the economy. I think the 60 per cent rebate and the collection deadline is humane enough. I think it is a step in the right direction,”he said.
Ezenga urged all Nigerians to support the NCS in its efforts at entrenching transparency in the maritime sector and generating revenue for the country.
Our source gathered that the Senate and the Nigeria Labour Congress had criticised the NCS on the enforcement of the duties.
They described the action as unjustifiable and capable of inflicting hardship on the people.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
