The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) special taskforce on Monday said it has capacity to help the Federal Government generate over N6 trillion annually if the bill for National Commission for Prohibition of Imported Items on Small, Light Weapons and other Related Offences, presently in the National Assembly is passed into law and accented by President Muhammadu Buhari.
IMAN, a non-governmental organisation, initiated the taskforce to assist government agencies in curtailing illegal importation into Nigeria.
Speaking in Lagos on Monday, Osita Okereke, director general of the National Task Force (NATFORCE) said the bill if signed into law would create jobs for teeming Nigerian youths and also help secure the country from importation of small and light arms.
According to him, the commission would not rely on government for funds but would rather help government generate revenue and also block loopholes in the system.
“We will not be a liability to government because we will generate money more than the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). We have to send a proposal to the President on how we intend to generate N6 trillion a year for the government,” he said.
Okereke, who doubles as the president of the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), was optimistic that the association would soon be confirmed as a commission. “Before the end of the month, IMAN will be a commission that will protect genuine importers.
He said the bill, which had been passed by the current House of Representatives, is still awaiting the Senate passage. “The bill has suffered for over seven years in the National Assembly because some people do not want it to come to being.
“Our mission is to checkmate importers bringing in prohibited items and protect genuine importers. We will also safeguard Nigeria from criminal activities. We are only going to fight against people, who fight against Nigeria,” Okereke assured.
