I have the support of Buhari – Customs boss, – Hammed Ali

Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hammed Ali (retd), says he has the support of President Muhammadu Buhari on the proposed policy on payment of vehicle duty.

Ali made the disclosure while addressing State House Correspondents after emerging from the mosque located beside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said, “The truth is that when I came in one of the difficult tasks is how to deal with, ‘big men.’ Big time businessmen in the past have created a situation that they were the beneficiaries of waivers and concessions. Huge amount of money is lost in this country through waivers and concessions.

“If John decides to import things as a trader, he is meant to pay duty, why should Ali, because he is a big businessman and has a status in the society be given waiver when the law is clear about it?”

“The President agrees with us and the political will is behind us. As of today, apart from the statutory waivers, which the law allows, the President has not approved one single waiver.

The senate recently invited the Customs boss to appear before it to defend the controversial policy on payment of duties for old vehicles.

The invitation has, however, led to a face-off between Ali and the senate as he has vehemently refused to appear before the Upper Legislative Chambers in uniform.

Ali shocked the senate recently as he appeared before the senate without appearing in his Customs uniform.

This action led to Senators walking out on Ali during last weeks plenary.