Senate passes bill to re-enact Customs Act, establish NCS Board
PRESS
STATEMENT
Senate Passes Bill
to Re-enact Customs Act, Establish NCS Board
The Senate on Wednesday, May 11, 2022
passed into law a Bill that seeks to repeal and re-enact the Customs and Excise
Management Act 2004.The passage of the Bill followed the presentation of its
report by the Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs before the Senate for
consideration.
Chairman of the Committee, Sen.
Francis Alimikhena (Edo North), in his presentation, said the Bill will amongst
other things, seek to assist the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) administration
in driving economic growth and trade facilitation.
He added that the Bill when signed
into law would make the NCS a legal entity under the supervision of the Federal
Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning with a Board to serve
Nigerians and facilitate international trade.
According to him, the Bill which has
283 clauses, also seeks to bring the Customs and Excise Management Act 2004 in
line with modern day Customs Operations globally; and provide for the NCS a
consolidated single legal reference document instead of multiple enactments.
The lawmaker noted that the piece of
legislation also makes provision for the use of electronic documents,
electronic payments and other information technology that are applicable to
modern Customs Administration.
On conclusion of the Bill’s
clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole, it was read the
Third Time and Passed.
Signed:
Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, FAI, FIMC, CMC,
FCP, Fsca
Special Assistant (Press)
To President of the Senate
Wednesday, May 11, 2022.