Customs, AGF Summoned Over Nigerian Shippers’ Council Revenue

THE House of Representatives has summoned the Accountant-General of the Federation,  Nigeria Customs Service and Budget Office over Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) revenue.

The committee said it needed explanation on issues surrounding the collection and appropriation of the council’s revenue, derived from a portion of the port develop levy imposed on imported items.

The committee issued the summons in Abuja at the ongoing public hearing on the 2022-2024 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper.

Executive Secretary of the NSC, Emmanuel Jime, had said the main source of the council’s revenue, which is a quarterly two of the seven percent ports development levy amounting to N3.1bn was collected by the Customs and sent to the AGF’s office.

Jime, a former member of the House, said, “There is also the extra challenge we have. The agency responsible for the collection of that particular two percent that is being given under the current arrangement is Customs. It is the Customs that determines what amounts to a percentage of the port levy. So, we’re not really involved.”

Jime also lamented that the NSC had been unable to access the one percent charge on export and import since the council was established in 1978, noting that it was one of its statutory sources of revenue.

“There is this statutory source of revenue: one percent charge on export and import. Since Shippers’ Council was established, that particular source of revenue has never been accessed and I am taking it up with the supervising ministry and it is also one area that I will ultimately be going to seek the support from the other side,” he said.

Faleke consequently directly the secretariat to invite those concerned for deliberation on Monday.