The National Task Force (NATFORCE) a special creation of the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has promised to help the federal government generate over N6 trillion yearly if the bill for the National Commission For Prohibition of Imported Items On Small, Light Weapons and other Related Offences was passed into law and accented by President Muhammed Buhari.
IMAN, a non-governmental organisation, initiated the task force to assist government agencies in curtailing illegal importation into Nigeria.
Speaking yesterday, the Director General of NATFORCE, Dr Osita Okereke said the bill if signed into law would create job for teeming Nigerian youths and also help secure the country from importation of small and light arm into the country.
According to him, the commission won't rely on government for fund but would rather help government generate revenues and block loopholes in the system.
He said, "We won't be a liability to government, we will generate money and even more than Customs because there are enough loopholes to block.
" We must mix however mix governance with business and we have sent a proposal to the president on how we will generate N6trillion a year for the government."
The DG of NATFORCE who is also the president of the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), was optimistic that the association would soon be confirmed as a commission.
"The association will be confirmed a commission and the commission would prohibit importation of illicit items into the country.
"Before the end of the month, IMAN will be a commission but some people are planning to witch-hunt importers but our group is to protect genuine importers."
Though, he said the bills had been in the national assembly for seven years and had been passed by the current House of Representatives but expecting the Senate passage.
"The bill has suffered for over seven years in the National Assembly because some people don't want it to come to being because we will stop illegal business and importation of illicit and small arms."
"Our mission is to checkmate importers bringing in prohibited items and protect genuine importers and our mission is to safe guard Nigerian States because no state is without small arms."
"We are not to fight against anyone but we will fight against against anyone against Nigeria and we monitor the prosecution to logical conclusion," he said.
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