The Association of Motor Dealers Of Nigeria (AMDON) has called for immediate suspension of the controversial Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) valuation system introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for imported vehicles, labeling the policy fraudulent and threatening to take legal actions if the policy is not suspended.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos on Friday, the National President of AMDON, Prince Ajibola Adedoyin said that the NCS automated VIN Valuation is full of errors and fraud, with a tendency of taking people back to the era of smuggling used vehicles into the country.
According to Adedoyin, the implementation of the VIN Valuation would also make life unbearable to Nigerians, thereby destroying the gains recorded in the transportation sector.
The AMDON National President also said that using the VIN Valuation in summary contravenes the Customs and Excise Management Act 20 of 2003, which talks about transaction value (purchase price), which is the price agreed by the seller and buyer, adding that Customs has no right to impose value, which is not in line with the Customs and Excise act.
He noted that it is not possible for vehicles that come from different countries and arrive at the ports to have the same value considering the different commercial level and freight costs.
“We, therefore, demand the immediate suspension of the VIN valuation system designed by Customs and review of same in consideration of the Nigeria Customs act. We also demand investigation and prosecution of those involved in this fraud, which has caused panic and destabilization of businesses at Nigerian ports.
“The NCS are witness to the fact that members of AMDON have been supportive of all government policies that would eradicate smuggling of used vehicles, as we have demonstrated in all our meetings with the Customs management and we have always pledged our support to the NCS in every area that would bring development to the country,” he said.
He, therefore, debunked Customs claims that the decision of implementing VIN valuation was taken in conjunction with the stakeholders, adding that motor dealers and customs licensed agents who are the umbrella bodies of persons involved in the importation of vehicles were not aware of any stakehot engagements on VIN.
“It is quite unfortunate that NCS has intentionally decided to avoid AMDON request for audience after letters of request for audience with the NCS management were not replied to. The Customs is avoiding us because they had ulterior motive which they know will be rejected by us on behalf of Nigerians.
“We are saying with a loud voice that we were not contacted and we reject the VIN Valuation automated system designed by Customs as the designer did not take into consideration what has contained the law,” he added.
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