The newly posted Customs Area Controller, Kwara Command, Comptroller Aliyu Bello has read the riot act to all excise factories in the state that the service is saddled with responsibilities of suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation, and revenue generation.
Bello warned that any act of cutting corners or distortion to meet the set target would be severely sanctioned.
He made these remarks when he paid an extensive familiarisation visit to all the excise factories in Ilorin to ascertain the level of their production and compliance with the Customs extant laws.
The Nigerian Government had early this year, approved the implementation of the 2022 fiscal policy measures made up of supplementary protection measures, SPM, for the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, CET, 2022-2026, and excise duties of N10 per liters on Non-Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and Tobacco products effective from 1st April 2022.
The Nigerian Government has given a grace period of 90 days to enable the excise factories producing nonalcoholic beverages to brace up with the new directives which elapsed on the 30th of June, 2022, and the new price regime commencing from the 1st of June, 2022.
The Customs Area Controller toured International Tobacco Company, ITC, the biggest factory producers of Cigarettes and Spirit in Kwara State.
Other factories visited are Peace Standard Pharmaceutical Industries, Seven UP Bottling Company, Remitola International Multi Biz, Orion Agro Industries Ltd, Donswep Industries Ltd, Njoku Global Ventures Idofian, Ascodin Nigeria Enterprises in Oro town, Neolman Food and Beverages Nigeria Ltd.
According to the Customs boss, “the familiarisation tour is aimed at bringing all the excise factories under control and to equally block all the leakages.”
During the visit, the Customs Area Controller said: “without mincing word that the Command under his watch will continue to take deliberate steps to work with excise factories and other critical stakeholders to reposition the Command.”
He stated that he would not relent in any effort to ensure total conformity to prompt payment of excise duties.
Comptroller Bello engaged in lively discussions with the management teams of all the factories. He first met the Management and staff of ITC, proceeded to other excise factories, and promised to collaborate with all compliant stakeholders for efficiency and effectiveness.
Bello demanded transparency, as the other way around would not be tolerated. He further urged them to be compliant at all times as this would guarantee them the full benefits of trade facilitation.
However, the factory managers promised total compliance with the Nigerian Government’s new directives.
They acknowledged that they have enjoyed a good mutual and beneficial relationship with the Command all through the years and would do everything within their capacity to provide the needed support for the new Customs Area Controller to succeed.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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