To boost efficiency, amongst other reasons, House of Representatives adopt fresh report on the bill seeking to repeal the Customs and Excise Management Act and other laws governing the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
READ ALSO: Why Police placed N1m bounty on Wanted Bauchi Rep, Yakubu Shehu
The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, reviewed a bill seeking to repeal the Customs and Excise Management Act and other laws governing the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The development follows President Muhammadu Buhari‘s refusal to grant assent to the piece of legislation titled ‘A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Other Customs and Excise Legislation and Enact the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2022 to Provide for the Reform of the Administration and Management of Customs and Excise in Nigeria; and for Related Matters.’
The bill has some novel innovations, including a provision seeking to restrict and totally abolish the appointment of a non-Customs Officer as head of the Service. If assented to by the President, the current Comptroller-General of the Service, Hameed Ali, a retired Colonel from the Nigerian Army will be the last non-customs officer to head the service in line with the provisions of the bill.
READ ALSO: 2023: How six sitting lawmakers triumphed in the Governorship Polls
Speaking on the purpose and general intention of the bill, Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, Rep. Leke Abejide, noted that the old Act has become otiose in today’s global and competitive world and for the effective management of the Customs Service.
Abejide further noted that the recommittal and review of the bill became necessary as some amendments made by the National Assembly were not duly reflected in the clauses.
The House, presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase, in a Committee of the Whole, thus considered and adopted the fresh report on the bill.
Ibrahim Tanko Gaddafi
Ibrahim Gaddafi Tanko is a celebrated opinion writer, contributor to several frontline national tabloids in Nigeria and holds a Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB) from the Taraba State University. He has a huge flair for journalism with particular interest in issues concerning governance, politics, the legislature, humanitarian affairs, and climate change.
