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| The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala |
…As CG harps on synergy among nation’s Customs
The Federal Government yesterday assured that it would by today pay oil marketers N156bn as payment for fuel subsidy, even as it expressed concern over the fuel scarcity being witnessed in some parts of the country, stating that oil
The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who stated this while speaking during an interview with journalists shortly after declaring open the 20th conference of Directors General of Customs of the World Customs Organisation also expressed concern at the fuel queues which are noticeable in some parts of the country.
The 20th Conference of Directors General of Customs of the West and Central Africa Region of the World Customs Organization is being attended by heads of delegations from the global Customs community, especially delegations from member countries of the World Customs Organization (WCO) West and Central Africa Region and their Expert Working Groups. Dignitaries in attendance are: the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya, Vice Chair of the of the WCO West and Central Africa Mrs. Minette Libom Li Likeng, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister for Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and the Comptroller General of Customs Dikko Inde Abdullahi.
Regional structures of the West and Central Africa Region of the WCO and stakeholders are also represented at the eventDignitaries in attendance are the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya, Vice Chair of the of the WCO West and Central Africa Mrs. Minette Libom Li Likeng, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister for Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and the Comptroller General of Customs Dikko Inde Abdullahi.
Regional structures of the West and Central Africa Region of the WCO and stakeholders are well represented at the event
Dignitaries in attendance are the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya, Vice Chair of the of the WCO West and Central Africa Mrs. Minette Libom Li Likeng, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister for Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and the Comptroller General of Customs Dikko Inde Abdullahi.
Regional structures of the West and Central Africa Region of the WCO and stakeholders are well represented at the event.
While speaking on the topic: “Coordinated Border Management, an inclusive approach to connecting stakeholders”, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service harped on synergy among customs administrations.
He told the delegates that: “When we work together, we win together. With the dynamics of international trade and complex nature of border security, we must see ourselves as partners with other Government agencies within and outside our borders.”
On his part, the Secretary General, WCO lauded the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service, especially in the pursuit and investment in IT, adding that he was glad that the NCS was able to increase revenue profile by 20 percent, even in the first year of getting its job back, from the Service Providers, particularly, the Destination Inspection group.
The World Customs Organisation scribe also applauded the Nigerian government and her customs for improving its trade templates through manpower development and modernization.
He said the full take over of destination inspection functions from service providers by the Nigeria Customs was a sign of confidence reposed on the service by the government. This according to him has also improved the revenue collection of the service by about 20 percent.
While thanking the Nigerian government for allowing her customs to grow in potentials ,the WCO scribe described international customs connectivity at the borders as a strategy to curbing smuggling and fighting other forms of trans border crimes.
''After one year of taking over customs functions from service providers, I heard that your revenue has gone above 20 percent. I thank the government and the customs administration that showed that it can take responsibility''
But, the minister while sympathising with Nigerians whose lives are being disrupted by fuel queues, said the government is working hard to end the scarcity within the shortest time possible.
She said despite the revenue challenges facing the government, the issue of fuel subsidy payments to oil marketers had always been prioritised by the Federal Government.
For instance, she said the government had in December 2014 paid the sum of N350bn to oil marketers, noting that an additional N31bn in foreign exchange differentials had already been released.
She said, “On the issue of oil marketers, we have really been working with them and we have been dialoguing with them all along. We’ve paid N350bn in December, we paid them N31bn in foreign exchange differentials and by tomorrow (Thursday) we will be paying them N100bn for which we had earlier given them IOUs for as well as their interest rate differentials of N56bn.
“So, I am about to go and sign, to get that paid and I think that Nigerians can see that the government is making maximum effort to accommodate the oil marketers. They are also Nigerians, and they need to also cooperate with us.”
The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association and MOMAN had put the aggregate subsidy arrears owed the marketers by the Federal Government at N356.2bn.
The Executive Secretary, MOMAN has said members were increasingly finding it difficult to continue importation of petrol for a while now, and that the market situation had continued to get tougher.
He had said. “Some days ago, the National Assembly approved the budget without any provisions for petrol subsidy, and nobody is talking to us.
“We want to know if we should still continue with what we are currently doing. We want to know who will be paying for subsidy on petrol. Ultimately, we want to know who pays for the amount owed us.
“There is an out-going government as well as an in-coming one. Where do we stand?. We need to get our money because our suppliers are on our necks.”
But the finance minister, during the interview called for understanding from the marketers owing to the persistent shortfall in gross federally collectible revenue.
She noted that the marketers being Nigerians should be patriotic in their business dealings with government.
“In this very difficult environment where revenues are constrained, we are doing our maximum. We have prioritised them because we do not want Nigerians to suffer. Now they too must cooperate with Nigeria and be good and patriotic citizens.”http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/customs-conference-finance-minister-says-fg%E2%80%99ll-pay-oil-marketers-n156bn-today
The Federal Government yesterday assured that it would by today pay oil marketers N156bn as payment for fuel subsidy, even as it expressed concern over the fuel scarcity being witnessed in some parts of the country, stating that oil
The Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who stated this while speaking during an interview with journalists shortly after declaring open the 20th conference of Directors General of Customs of the World Customs Organisation also expressed concern at the fuel queues which are noticeable in some parts of the country.
The 20th Conference of Directors General of Customs of the West and Central Africa Region of the World Customs Organization is being attended by heads of delegations from the global Customs community, especially delegations from member countries of the World Customs Organization (WCO) West and Central Africa Region and their Expert Working Groups. Dignitaries in attendance are: the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya, Vice Chair of the of the WCO West and Central Africa Mrs. Minette Libom Li Likeng, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister for Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and the Comptroller General of Customs Dikko Inde Abdullahi.
Regional structures of the West and Central Africa Region of the WCO and stakeholders are also represented at the eventDignitaries in attendance are the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya, Vice Chair of the of the WCO West and Central Africa Mrs. Minette Libom Li Likeng, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister for Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and the Comptroller General of Customs Dikko Inde Abdullahi.
Regional structures of the West and Central Africa Region of the WCO and stakeholders are well represented at the event
Dignitaries in attendance are the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya, Vice Chair of the of the WCO West and Central Africa Mrs. Minette Libom Li Likeng, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Minister for Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and the Comptroller General of Customs Dikko Inde Abdullahi.
Regional structures of the West and Central Africa Region of the WCO and stakeholders are well represented at the event.
While speaking on the topic: “Coordinated Border Management, an inclusive approach to connecting stakeholders”, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service harped on synergy among customs administrations.
He told the delegates that: “When we work together, we win together. With the dynamics of international trade and complex nature of border security, we must see ourselves as partners with other Government agencies within and outside our borders.”
On his part, the Secretary General, WCO lauded the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service, especially in the pursuit and investment in IT, adding that he was glad that the NCS was able to increase revenue profile by 20 percent, even in the first year of getting its job back, from the Service Providers, particularly, the Destination Inspection group.
The World Customs Organisation scribe also applauded the Nigerian government and her customs for improving its trade templates through manpower development and modernization.
He said the full take over of destination inspection functions from service providers by the Nigeria Customs was a sign of confidence reposed on the service by the government. This according to him has also improved the revenue collection of the service by about 20 percent.
While thanking the Nigerian government for allowing her customs to grow in potentials ,the WCO scribe described international customs connectivity at the borders as a strategy to curbing smuggling and fighting other forms of trans border crimes.
''After one year of taking over customs functions from service providers, I heard that your revenue has gone above 20 percent. I thank the government and the customs administration that showed that it can take responsibility''
But, the minister while sympathising with Nigerians whose lives are being disrupted by fuel queues, said the government is working hard to end the scarcity within the shortest time possible.
She said despite the revenue challenges facing the government, the issue of fuel subsidy payments to oil marketers had always been prioritised by the Federal Government.
For instance, she said the government had in December 2014 paid the sum of N350bn to oil marketers, noting that an additional N31bn in foreign exchange differentials had already been released.
She said, “On the issue of oil marketers, we have really been working with them and we have been dialoguing with them all along. We’ve paid N350bn in December, we paid them N31bn in foreign exchange differentials and by tomorrow (Thursday) we will be paying them N100bn for which we had earlier given them IOUs for as well as their interest rate differentials of N56bn.
“So, I am about to go and sign, to get that paid and I think that Nigerians can see that the government is making maximum effort to accommodate the oil marketers. They are also Nigerians, and they need to also cooperate with us.”
The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association and MOMAN had put the aggregate subsidy arrears owed the marketers by the Federal Government at N356.2bn.
The Executive Secretary, MOMAN has said members were increasingly finding it difficult to continue importation of petrol for a while now, and that the market situation had continued to get tougher.
He had said. “Some days ago, the National Assembly approved the budget without any provisions for petrol subsidy, and nobody is talking to us.
“We want to know if we should still continue with what we are currently doing. We want to know who will be paying for subsidy on petrol. Ultimately, we want to know who pays for the amount owed us.
“There is an out-going government as well as an in-coming one. Where do we stand?. We need to get our money because our suppliers are on our necks.”
But the finance minister, during the interview called for understanding from the marketers owing to the persistent shortfall in gross federally collectible revenue.
She noted that the marketers being Nigerians should be patriotic in their business dealings with government.
“In this very difficult environment where revenues are constrained, we are doing our maximum. We have prioritised them because we do not want Nigerians to suffer. Now they too must cooperate with Nigeria and be good and patriotic citizens.”http://shippingposition.com.ng/article/customs-conference-finance-minister-says-fg%E2%80%99ll-pay-oil-marketers-n156bn-today
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