The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has lined up 29 private jets to be impounded soon.
This was revealed in the Customs’ report on the verification of privately-owned airplanes in the country on Tuesday in Abuja.
Customs’ Spokesman, Mr Joseph Attah, said 29 airplanes would be impounded soon if the owners fail to show up at the expiration of the 14 days ultimatum which has been given to them.
The Customs had on May 31 announced its plan to verify import documents of privately-owned airplanes in the country.
The exercise later occurred between June 7 and Aug. 6 at the Tariff and Trade Department of the Service.
According to Attah, during the period, 86 private jets or airplane operators came for the verification with valid documents.
He added that 57 of them were verified as commercial charter operators and were duly cleared for operations.
He said the 29 private jets/airplanes owners and or their representatives were issued with demand notices on Oct. 11 and were given 14 days to make payments to designated Federal Government accounts.
He said they would be issued Aircraft Clearance Certificates after payment.
“Owners of private aircraft for which no presentations were made for verification, and whose status remains uncertain are requested to immediately furnish Customs Service with documents for verification and clearance.
“To this effect, all 57 commercial charter jets or aircraft operators who presented their documents for verification are requested to come to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abuja, to collect their clearance certificates.
“All 29 private jets/aircraft owners and or their representatives who have been issued with demand notices have 14 days from Oct. 11 to collect and make payments to the designated Federal Government accounts.
“They will be issued with Aircraft Clearance Certificates after payment,’’ Attah said.
The spokesperson, however, implored the concerned people to avail themselves of this opportunity, as Customs would not hesitate to activate enforcement procedures on defaulters.