The Comptroller, Nigerian Customs Service, Kwara Area Command, Comptroller Aliyu Gaya Bello has warned that excise factories which engaged in act of cutting corners or distortion that could hinder the Service from meeting its set target would be severely sanctioned.
This was contained in a statement signed and issued by Public Relations Officer,
Kwara area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service Chado Zakari
and made available to newsmen in Ilorin
The comptroller who gave the warning during his familiarization visit to some excise factories in Ilorin, Kwara State, stressed the need for total compliance.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government 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 par liters on Non-Alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and Tobacco products effective from 1st April, 2022.
According to him, a grace period of ninety (90) days was granted to enable the excise factories producing non alcoholic and beverages to brace up with the new directives which elapses on 30th of June, 2022 and the new price regime commenced from 1st June, 2022.
In order for factories to adhere to the fiscal policy of the Federal Government, the newly posted Customs Area Controller, Kwara Command, Compt. AG Bello paid extensive visit to all the excise factories in Ilorin, Kwara State to ascertain the level of their production and compliant to the Customs extant laws.
The Customs Area Controller toured International Tobacco Company (ITC) the biggest factory producers of Cigarettes and Spirit in Kwara State.
Others factories visited is 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.
The familiarization tour was aimed at bringing all the excise factories under control and to equally block all the leakages.
During the visit, the CAC 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.
The CAC averred that he will not relent on any effort to ensure total conformity to prompt payment of excise duties.
The Compt. Bello engaged in lively discussions with management teams of all the factories, he first met with the Management and staff of ITC, proceeded to other excise factories and promised to collaborate with all compliant stakeholders for efficiency and effectiveness.
He demanded for transparency and openness, as the other way round will not be tolerated.
He further warned against non-compromise on their excise duty and urged them to be compliant at all times as this will guarantee them the full benefits of trade facilitation.
The Controller read the riot act to all excise factories that the service is saddled with responsibilities of suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation and revenue generation and any act of cutting corners or distortion to meet the set target will be severely sanctioned.
The factories managers promised total compliance with the Federal Government new directives and acknowledged that they have enjoyed good mutual and beneficial relationship with the Command all through the years.
They all promised to do everything within their capacity to provide the needed support for the new Customs Area Controller to succeed.