Federal Government Summons 80 Private Jet Owners Over Operating Papers
The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), has initiated a rigorous crackdown on private jet owners suspected of improperly importing aircraft into Nigeria.
This move, which aims to enforce compliance with import regulations, involves summoning approximately 80 private jet operators to present their aircraft import documents at the Nigerian Customs Service headquarters in Abuja.
According to a public notice issued by Customs, the special verification exercise commences on Wednesday and is slated to span 30 days. The exercise seeks to identify private jets that were imported without proper documentation, thereby ensuring adherence to import protocols and maximizing revenue collection.
“The Nigeria Customs Service announces a verification exercise for privately owned aircraft operating in Nigeria,” the notice states. It underscores the necessity for owners and operators to produce essential documents including the Certificate of Registration, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s Flight Operation Compliance Certificate, NCAA’s Maintenance Compliance Certificate, NCAA’s Permit for Non-Commercial Flights, and Temporary Import Permit where applicable.
This renewed effort by Customs follows previous attempts by the government to recover substantial import duties, amounting to billions of naira, from private jet operators who exploited technical loopholes to avoid payment.
While some operators have settled their dues in the past, a significant number reportedly continue to evade the mandatory import duty, often through the use of Temporary Import Permits (TIPs).
The Temporary Import Permits, initially valid for 12 months and extendable twice for six months each, has been criticized as a method of circumventing import duties. It allows operators to defer duty payments under the guise of temporary entry, based on international conventions.
A senior Customs official revealed that the upcoming verification is expected to compel compliance, potentially resulting in the payment of outstanding duties. Failure to comply could lead to grounding of the aircraft involved.
“The exercise is expected to lead to the payment of the mandatory import duty, while aircraft operators who fail to pay may have their jets grounded,” the official stated anonymously.
The Customs’ decision to implement stringent measures comes amid ongoing legal battles between the government and private jet owners who contest the imposition of import duties.
In recent years, several private jet owners, including prominent business figures and corporate entities, have challenged the government’s efforts to enforce these duties, citing various legal and procedural objections.
Responding to queries, Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of NCS, affirmed the upcoming verification exercise and emphasized Customs’ commitment to maximizing revenue for the Federal Government within the confines of existing laws.
The enforcement drive underscores a broader governmental push to regulate the importation and operation of private jets in Nigeria, ensuring transparency and compliance with fiscal obligations.
