The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, has said the service had deactivated authorized dealer banks over failure to meet Service- Level Agreement on customs Duty and statutory charges remittances.
Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Service, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
According to Maiwada, the decision to deactivate some authorized banks comes with a thorough audit and due process aligning with the NCS’s commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue collection.
NCS urged importers to utilize other Authorized Dealer Banks that comply with its regulations.
“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.
“The NCS prioritizes trade facilitation, putting stakeholders and Nigerian citizens first, even in the face of non-compliance by some Authorized Dealer Banks. This action underscores the NCS’s commitment to maintaining a fair and transparent customs revenue collection process”, the statement reads.
Media Talk Africa learnt that NCS did not mention the deactivated banks.
