LCCI Advocates Dispute Resolution Framework Between Customs, Business Community

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Sunday, urged the Federal Government to create an independent dispute resolution framework to manage conflicts between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the business community.

Director-General of LCCI, Dr. Muda Yusuf in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, said a presidential intervention had become inevitable, especially with the onset of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Yusuf said the disputes were on matters of product valuation and harmonised system of product classification as experienced and reported by investors in the Nigerian economy.

He said that a major shortcoming in the nation’s international trade process was the absence of an independent, credible and prompt appeal mechanism. According to him, the lack thereof presents a situation that is hurting to investment and weakening investors’ confidence. The LCCI boss said the current realities left importers entirely at the mercies of the customs in the absence of a credible, independent window for dispute settlement between the service and the private sector.

He said that discretionary interpretations on product classification and valuation posed enormous corruption risks in customs processes.