Customs to seize 29 private jets over import duties

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has threatened to impound 29 private jets if the owners fail to pay import duties within the next 14 days.
In its report on verification of privately-owned airplanes in the country on Tuesday in Abuja, the agency’s spokesperson, Joseph Attah, said private jet owners who complied with the directive, “will be issued with Aircraft Clearance Certificates after payment.”
Customs had on May 31 announced its plan to verify import documents of private owners. The exercise happened between June 7 and August 6 at its Tariff and Trade Department.
Mr Attah explained that within the stipulated period, 86 private jets or airplane operators showed up for the exercise and presented relevant documents for verification.
He said 57 of them were cleared after being verified as commercial charter operators.
The agency said it has put the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on notice that only those jets cleared by Customs were allowed to operate.
(NAN)
More from Peoples Gazette

States
Anambra Assembly passes anti-open grazing bill
The speaker conducted a voice vote on each of the 39 clauses of the bill before it was passed.

Showbiz
Disney under fire for remaking Home Alone
Home Alone follows a long list of classic movies being remade for the big screen.

Africa
UN court rules in Somalia’s favour in border dispute with Kenya
The disputed border of about 100,000 square kilometres in the Indian Ocean has high oil and gas deposits.

Economy
Revenue Sharing Formula: Minister wants special status for FCT
The minister wants more money to address issues of “compensation, abandoned and ongoing projects” in the FCT.

Politics
Senate approves electronic results transmission, direct primaries for political parties
The direct primaries for party aspirants to elective positions shall be monitored by INEC.

Health
U.S. to treat 37,000 HIV-infected persons in Abia
Abia has an estimated 58,341 people living with HIV, making it the sixth-highest state with HIV prevalence in Nigeria.