Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.

The Nigeria Customs Service NCS has commenced the implementation of zero duty payment on machinery, equipment, and spare parts imported for the country’s gas utilisation fiscal incentives

under the Presidential Gas for Growth Initiative.

In another development, the management of the Service has approved the promotion of 1,419 junior officers across various ranks, which was ratified during the 10th management meeting, chaired by the Comptroller General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, held November 29, 2024.

The fiscal incentive policy on gas equipment import is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s investment climate and increasing domestic gas utilisation. It is also pursuant to Part 1, section five of the Customs and Excise Tariff Act, machinery, equipment, and spare parts imported for Nigerian gas utilization, which are now subject to a zero per cent import duty rate.

According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintend Abdullahi Maiwada, this exemption encompasses all equipment related to Compressed Natural Gas CNG and Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG imported into Nigeria.

Under the new dispensation, some items have been classified under zero Value Added Tax VAT, which include feed gas for all processed gas, Compressed Natural Gas, imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas, CNG equipment components, conversion and installation services, LPG equipment components, conversion and installation services, and all equipment and infrastructure related to the expansion of CNG, LPG, and the Presidential CNG Initiative, including conversion kits.

The statement reads in part: “It is pertinent to note that importers seeking to benefit from these incentives must obtain an Import Duty Exemption Certificate (IDEC) from the Federal Ministry of Finance and a letter of support from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy.

“Furthermore, the importation of LPG under HS Codes 2711.12.00.00, 2711.13.00.00 and 2711.19.00.00 are exempted from both Import Duty and VAT. Consequently, all Debit Notes issued to petroleum marketers who have imported LPG using these codes from August 26, 2019, to date will be withdrawn by the NCS in line with previous approvals.

“These measures are designed to ameliorate the cost of living, bolster energy security, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to cleaner energy sources. The NCS, under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR is committed to the effective implementation of these incentives and urges all stakeholders to ensure strict and prompt compliance.”

Meanwhile, a comprehensive promotion list released by the Service indicates that both general duty and support staffers, who excelled in the 2024 promotion exercise were elevated. Specifically, the 346 general duty and 384 support staff officers were elevated from Assistant Inspector of Customs AIC to Inspector of Customs IC; four general duty and 13 support staff officers rose from Customs Assistant I (CAI) to Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC); while 372 general duty and 59 support staff officers moved up from Customs Assistant II (CAII) to Customs Assistant I (CAI); even as 188 general duty and 54 support staff officers were promoted from Customs Assistant III (CAIII) to Customs Assistant II (CAII).

“This strategic advancement underscores the transformative leadership of the NCS management team under the visionary stewardship of CGC Adeniyi. By prioritising career growth as a cornerstone of workforce motivation, his administration inspires a culture of excellence, empowering employees to achieve their full potential and driving the organisation toward unparalleled service delivery.

“In extending his heartfelt congratulations, the CGC urges the newly promoted men to redouble their efforts in fulfilling the Service’s core mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation. Additionally, the promotion list for senior officers is currently being processed, pending approval by the Nigeria Customs Service Board”. Chief Superintendent Maiwada also said.