By Olusegun Lawrence. The Senate on Thursday summoned the Customs Comptroller-General Hameed Ali to appear before it on March 15, 2017, over the new vehicles duty policy.
Also, the Customs boss, a retired Army Colonel has been mandated by the Senate to appear in his appropriate Uniform.
Prompt News recalls that the Upper Chamber had on Tuesday asked Nigerian Customs to suspend its planned enforcement of vehicles duty payment starting from April 12.
But, Customs boss on Wednesday vowed to go ahead with the planned clampdown on old vehicles without duty papers.
He directed automobile dealers in possession of old or new vehicles without Customs duty payment, to take advantage of the one-month grace window to pay up and enjoy a 60 per cent rebate across board for vehicles of 2015 model and below.
However, speaking at plenary on Thursday through Point of Order, Senator Dino Melaye, posited that the Customs’ comment on the policy after the Senate resolution is a blatant disregard for the institution of the Senate.
Melaye also frowned at the decision of the Customs boss not to wear uniforms, recalling that he once told the Committee on that Uniform men don’t wear uniform twice.
Melaye spoke further, “I want to believe that government exists to serve the people and not the people in government and if we have taken a position in the interest of the Nigerian people and an institution of government will so disrespect and disparage the Nigerian Senate.”
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in his comment also frowned at refusal of the Customs CG to respect Senate resolution.
