Victor Ezeja
There appears to be relief for private jet owners as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has suspended the action of grounding over 60 private jets operating in the country over alleged non-payment of import duties.
Prime Business Africa reports that the Nigeria Customs Service had earlier announced the grounding of over 60 private jets operating in the country over alleged non-payment of import duty.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe aircraft were reportedly grounded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, over the alleged infraction.
Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer, NCS, said the owners of private jets have to comply and pay customs duty, prompting the Service to put its action on hold.
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“The service grounded some aircraft, but we have done some consultations, and there is a mutual understanding, that is an agreement to suspend the action for one month, so that others will comply. They (private jet owners) are willing to comply with doing the right thing. It’s about the regularisation of Customs duty. So we are working on that,” Maiwada stated.
Private individuals in Nigeria own the affected aircraft, which are licensed under the Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF) programme. The permit is given to people who wish to own and fly airplanes for their own use only, not for business.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
