The Federal Government has delayed plans to ground 60 private jets over unpaid import duties, extending the deadline for owners to settle their debts by an additional 30 days.
This decision follows a recent directive from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to the Nigeria Airspace Management Authority (NAMA).
Initially, the NCS aimed to ground the jets due to significant outstanding import duties, amounting to billions of naira.
However, Umar Farouk, the acting Managing Director of NAMA, confirmed that the grounding action has been suspended following a new request from the NCS.
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“We were supposed to ground the jets today (Monday) but we got another letter from customs requesting that the action be suspended for another month, maybe that is to allow for settlement,” Farouk stated.
A statement from NCS spokesperson Abdullah Maiwada also confirmed the extension, stating, “The verification exercise for the recovery of import duties on illegally imported private aircraft has been extended by one month, from Monday, October 14, 2024, to Thursday, November 14, 2024.”