Senate demands immediate FOB charge

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The Chairman of the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Customs and Tariffs, Senator Isah Jibrin, has called for the immediate enforcement of the 4 per cent Free-On-Board (FOB) charge, as stipulated by law, to support the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service.

During a session on Monday with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Senator Jibrin questioned the continued delay in enforcing the legal provision.

He stated, “Do we subject a law that has already been passed to further debate or justification? The 4 per cent must be implemented immediately because it is the law.”

Following his remarks, the committee passed the motion via a voice vote, with unanimous support for the immediate enforcement of the FOB charge, as outlined in existing legislation.

The National Assembly further urged the finance minister to fast-track the release and utilisation of available funds for Customs modernisation projects — particularly the ₦50 billion programme currently awaiting approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).