The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has advised the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping to shift its attention from the campaign for the removal of import duties on vessels to finding ways the collected duties can be used to develop the shipping industry. This suggestion came from Dera Nnadi, Deputy Controller of Enforcement at the Tin-Can Island Command, during a meeting in Lagos.
Nnadi explained that while the removal of import duties for ships is a government policy matter, it would be more productive for the Chamber to explore how the funds generated from these duties can be reinvested in the sector.
He emphasized that Customs only implements government policies and does not have control over the revenue, which goes into the Treasury Single Account (TSA). However, Nnadi pointed out that stakeholders can influence how the collected duties are utilized by engaging with the relevant authorities to push for the allocation of funds toward shipping sector development.
