Nigerian Government to Combat Smuggling with Technology

Kemi Adeosun

The present administration is leaving no stone unturned in its fight against corruption as it plans employ the use of technology in tackling smuggling and increase revenue collections.

This was disclosed in a statement in by Mr Festus Akanbi, the Special Adviser, Media, to Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun. He said the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, at a workshop in Gwagwalada, said the initiative is aimed to introduce technology to counter the activities of smugglers and boost revenue collections.

In attendance at the workshop were the Customs Comptroller General, retired Col. Hameed Ali; Secretary of the Joint Tax Board, Muhammed  Abubakar; Federal Road Safety Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi and AIG Alkali Baba Usman, who represented the Inspector General of Police.

The minister believes that collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Commission and Federal Inland Revenue Service will be instrumental to achieving the objective. She added that the programme was expected to significantly boost vehicle security and the easy transfer of vehicles from one owner to the other.

“Going forward, we are introducing a new system where all vehicles will be registered using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), effective 31st March, 2017. Customs clearance will be linked to the VIN and this in turn will be required by each State Government at the point of vehicle registration.

“Effectively, any vehicle on which duty has not been paid will not be able to be registered and driven in Nigeria. We are using technology to make smuggling an unprofitable venture,” she said.

She explained further that the public would be advised to obtain proof of customs duty payment when purchasing a vehicle to avoid being saddled with the liability of unpaid duties and related penalties.

The Minister noted that Nigeria was losing billions of dollars annually due to activities of smugglers.

Mrs. Adeosun said that revenue would be increased by reduction in leakages through the nation’s porous borders, adding that there would also be a reduction in import under-declaration and evasion of duty payments.

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