FG Extends Deadline For Verification By Private Jet Owners (See New Date)

The federal government of Nigeria has granted a one-month extension for owners of private aircraft in the country to complete their verification exercise.

The verification has to do with the recovery of import duties on illegally imported private aircraft.

The new deadline will now be from Monday, October 14, to Thursday, 14th November 2024, as confirmed in a statement by the spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada.

It would be recalled that the government had, through the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), planned to ground over 60 private jets owned by prominent individuals in the country due to unpaid import duties totalling several billions of naira.

The enforcement was earlier scheduled to begin on Monday, October 14th, 2024.

However, Maiwada, in a statement on Monday, said the government has granted an extension of the deadline for owners and operators of the private jets to comply with necessary regulations.

The NCS statement reads: “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) wishes to inform the general public, particularly operators of privately-owned aircraft, that the verification exercise for the recovery of import duties on illegally imported private aircraft has been extended by one month, from Monday, 14th October 2024, to Thursday, 14th November 2024.

”This extension aims to further engage operators who have expressed willingness to regularize their import duties, providing them with an additional window to comply with the necessary regulations. The NCS is committed to ensuring that all illegally imported aircraft meet the legal requirements, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in the aviation sector.

“In light of this extension, the NCS encourages aircraft operators to take full advantage of the extended period to fulfill their obligations, avoiding sanctions that may arise from non-compliance after the deadline.

”The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, reiterates the Service’s dedication to enforcing the laws governing import duties and maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation sector. He further appreciates the cooperation and understanding of stakeholders in this ongoing exercise.”